MORE than 60 members of one Oxford University college have signed up to compete in a charity race they believe will "bring the community together".

Traditionally, students, academics and support staff at Brasenose College have always taken part in Oxford's Town and Gown, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Muscular dystrophy causes muscles to weaken and waste over time, leading to increasingly severe disability. Some conditions affect the heart and muscles vital for breathing, cutting lives short.

Brasenose junior common room vice-president Katharine Lyness said the race was a good opportunity to unite the people of Oxford.

The 20-year-old Philosophy, Politics and Economics student said: "The race will be a really fun way of raising money for charity and it's an excellent way for all of the city to come together.

"It's a really great charity to be running for because the work they do is very important".

Muscular Dystrophy UK works with the 70,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK.

Since 1959, the charity has been providing vital information, advice, resourced and support for people with these conditions, their families and the professionals who work with them.

This year's race, on Sunday, May 15, hopes to raise £150,000 for muscular dystrophy research with the support of thousands of runners, many of whom will be donning orange – the charity’s signature colour.

Organisers are expecting 4,000 runners to line up on Parks Road this year, after 3,800 signed up last year.

Miss Lyness said: "We're planning on doing team running sessions around Oxford in the University Parks and Christchurch Meadow, which will be a really good way of making sure we're ready for the race.

"The sessions will be for students, teachers and the cleaning staff who are all backing the charity by entering the race."

Senior tutor of Brasenose College Simon Smith said he is hoping the whole city will support Muscular Dystrophy with its Town and Gown race.

He said: "It's very rare that a city closes down its roads for a race like this and that shows just how important the cause is.

"We first ran the race in 2013 and raised £3,000 so I'm hoping we can raise even more this year.

"It would be great if everyone in Oxford could get behind the race and its runners."

It costs £23 to £25 for over-16s to enter the 10k run on Sunday, May 15. Places on the 3k run for nine to 15-year-olds are £12.

Register at townandgown10k.com/OxMail