SOME 4,000 people will pound the streets of Oxford on Sunday to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

From 9am, runners clad in bright orange will speed from Oxford University Parks through the city centre along High Street, Cornmarket Street and surrounding roads.

Among the thousands joining this year's Oxford Town and Gown 10k are a team of almost 90 from Oxford University's Oriel College.

The college put together a team of students and staff to tackle the race and raise cash for a good cause.

David Archer, 55, is one of the team organisers for the college and said it was a great chance for students to blow off some steam in the lead up to their exams.

He said: "It will be great to have students, administrators and staff all out running together on Sunday through our wonderful city.

"Not only is the race a great way of raising awareness about muscular dystrophy but it is a good way for the students to unwind and de-stress from their exams and workloads."

Muscular Dystrophy UK works with the 70,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK and brings together people affected by more than 60 rare muscle-weakening and wasting conditions.

Mr Archer said he thought the race was the perfect way to raise money for the charity.

He said: "The race is such a good way of raising awareness because it reminds us just how lucky we are to be able to run because we're not living with a muscle-wasting condition.

"We're pleased to be able to do our bit to raise money for the charity."

Biomedical sciences student Max Schwiening, 18, said he thought the race was a chance to give the charity the attention it deserved.

He said: "Muscular dystrophy is a condition that I've studied before but have never met anyone who lives with it, so anything I can do to raise awareness is great.

"Muscular Dystrophy UK is a charity that doesn't quite get the attention it deserves so I'm really pleased to be running in a race that raises awareness and cash."

The cost for the 10k race for an unaffiliated runner is £25 and £23 for an affiliated runner. This is open to those aged 16 and older.

Costs for the 3k run, which is open to those aged between nine and 15, costs £12.

There is limited availability to sign up on the day.

This year's "event village" at Oxford University Parks will open at 8am and runners will set off between 9am and 10am.