Runners pound streets during 34th charity 10k

The event raises money for charity Muscular Dystrophy UK and was watched by huge crowds lining the city route.

Wonder Woman, alias Phil Grant

First to dash from the start line by the Keble Gate of University Parks, in Parks Road, were the junior runners at 9.30am.

But a wrong turn by the motorcade meant they had to start again.

It was started by Christine Hamilton, the political campaigner and wife of former Conservative MP Neil Hamilton, a patron of Muscular Dystrophy UK. She joked: “The delay is not the children’s fault. Apparently the guys on the motorbikes took a wrong turn, so we’re starting again.”

A big smile helped one runner on his way

But runners in the 10K race – the main event – set off promptly at 10am in front cheering supporters.

This year’s event saw more than 3,000 people take part, with organisers adding record numbers had also signed up on the day.

Muscular Dystrophy UK challenge events manager Toya Champ said: “The sunshine brought people out and we have also had lots of teams this year, so there’s been a great atmosphere.

“We are on target to raise £150,000, which will help us back promising research.”

Daniel Cook

The race also saw its first non-powered wheelchair competitor, Daniel Cook, take part.

Mr Cook, who has spina bifida, a condition that creates a break at the bottom of the spine, is a paratriathlete from Poole in Dorset. The 20-year-old said: “It was good to help raise the profile of wheelchair racing.”

Clive Barrow

The first runner to cross the finish line in University Parks was government and politics student Miles Unterreiner, a graduate on a two-year course at St John’s College.

The 25-year-old, from the United States, was reported to have finished in 31.22 minutes.

He said: “I run around the parks quite a bit already so I’m quite familiar with them.”

First woman to finish Sophie Carter

And Sophie Carter, of Woodstock, marked her 36th birthday in style by being the first woman to finish. Her time was 36.30 minutes.

The mother-of-two, who runs post-natal fitness classes, also broke the record in March’s OX5 run at Blenheim Palace by becoming the first woman to win the race.

Sophie Winstone-Partridge, Samuel Matter, Jennifer Gonzalez and Tobias Klauser

She said: “I first took part in the race ten years ago and it is what really kick-started my interest in running.

“The Town and Gown race always makes you feel great.”

Doing 10k - after a full English

SCOOBY Doo and Sergeant Pepper were among the fancy dress costumes at this year’s Oxford Fun Run.

About 400 people completed the 5km route organised by Oxford Rotary Club in University Parks on Saturday.

Nick Willets

Runners could choose to raise money for a charity of their choice. Organiser Stuart Packford said he hoped to match last year’s total of £16,000 raised for good causes.

First to the finish line was 36-year-old Dermot Tuwomey. The teacher for Dublin’s Centre of English Studies had joined forces with the centre in Oxford to support UNICEF.

Groom-to-be Nick Willets also took part – after being told just 20 minutes before the start his friends had entered him in the event as part of his stag weekend.

The 28-year-old project engineer from Lyme Regis said: 

“I had just had a full English breakfast so I felt pretty sick. But it was good fun and I did it for the lads.”