THEY came from across the county and every single runner had one aim – to raise cash for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Almost 1,000 people signed up to pound the grounds at Blenheim Palace as the 10th annual OX5 five-mile run, organised by the Oxford Mail, got under way.

The sun shone as runners of all ages warmed up to some zumba moves, before top chef Raymond Blanc and Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas started the race.

Among the runners was Paul Davis who wore lime green Speedos for the run after his team’s fundraising reached £4,000.

Mr Davis, along with his wife Cheryl, of Launton, near Bicester, and friends, ran for Kamran’s ward, where their son Miles, seven, was treated for a cancerous brain tumour.

Miles was given the all-clear in April last year and now the family hopes to pay back the hospital for its care.

Mrs Davis said: “Miles was diagnosed in November 2010 and was on the ward last year. He had his last treatment in April 2011 on the day of the royal wedding and has had clear scans.

“Paul said if we raised over £500 he would run in Speedos.”

Fifty metres before the end of the race, dad Gareth Keymer, of Harwell, and his brother David, each scooped up one of Gareth’s twin sons Gethin and Iestyn, and ran with them tucked under their arms to the finish line.

Mr Keymer, a teacher at SS Mary and John Primary School in East Oxford, said: “These guys were born at 24 weeks and Gethin stayed in the baby unit for seven months. Gethin had a rough time, hence the seven months, and he still has check-ups – I want to do all I can.”

Dale Harris and Leah Goodson, 30, headed up 13-strong Team Mya’s Stars, who hope to raise about £1,500 for the children’s hospital.

Their daughter Mya, 10, who has spina bifida, has been cared for by the hospital since she was born and has undergone several operations.

Mr Harris, 30, has run every single OX5 Run and this year got the number one vest bib.

Ms Goodson, who had her third child just 17 weeks ago, said Mya, who previously started the race, was due to have another operation in May. She said: “It’s just a little bit we can give back to the children’s hospital. The staff make her stay really comfortable and fun.”

Also running were Oxford United manager Chris Wilder and television sports presenter Jim Rosenthal, who finished the race together.

Afterwards Mr Wilder said: “I got in at 4am and the clocks went forward so I only had a couple of hours’ sleep.

“But it was enough to get me through. I was chasing Jim all the way – he was a good pace-maker for me.”

The first three home were Oxford Mail sports reporter Ed Mezzetti, former Oxford University student Gunther Zechmann, who came second, and Abingdon School pupil Thomas Kelly, 16, in third.

Winner Mr Mezzetti, a member of Oxford City Running Club, completed the circuit in 28 minutes and five seconds.

He said: “Gunther was leading for the first four miles and I stole the credit a little bit.

“It was the fourth time I have run this race but the first time I have won. I’m really pleased.”

The first woman home was Rebecca Clist, 31, from Witney, who ran it in 34 minutes 28 seconds. She said: “I didn’t have any idea where I was, I was just running with the guys. I’m really surprised I won.”

Lucy Dowling, 17, from Chipping Norton, and friend Beth Joclin, 16, of Tackley, ran the entire course with their legs tied together.

Miss Joclin said: “We thought it would be more of a challenge and people would be more willing to sponsor us.”

Children’s hospital fundraising manager Sarah Vaccari said: “We certainly celebrated the 10th anniversary of the OX5 Run in style. The sun shone, Blenheim Palace looked beautiful and almost 1,000 people put their best foot forward.

I would like to say a huge thank you to the Oxford Mail and all its readers for their fantastic support.”

Cash has now started rolling in from the run and organisers hope to beat last year’s total of £60,000.

Mail promotions manager Jo Coady said: “We had a fantastic turn out and I hope we raise the most money ever for the children’s hospital.”