THE dreaming spires will wake tomorrow with Oxford's main thoroughfares closed to trafficand open instead to a 4,000 plus throng of runners.

The annual Town and Gown 10k race for Muscular Dystrophy UK is less than 24 hours away and weather warnings would suggest entrants will be pounding the pavements in the sunshine.

Two brothers from Bicester living with Becker muscular dystrophy will be making sure the day gets off to a fantastic start, by setting off the junior runners from Parks Road at 9.30am.

Adam Pearson, 15 and Jay Pearson, 10, were diagnosed with the muscle-wasting condition when they were eight and three-years-old respectively.

Their mother Angela Pearson said: "The boys are very excited about starting the race on Sunday - it’s all they’ve been talking about.

"It means a lot to our whole family because we’ve had such a lot of support from Muscular Dystrophy UK over the past few years- it’s great to be involved."

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The 10k race will begin at 10am also in Parks Road and will be started by Noah Elkington, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy just one week after his first birthday.

The condition is a severe muscle-wasting condition that affects 2,400 people in the UK; mostly young boys.

Muscular Dystrophy UK's Sal Lalji said she thought the day was set to be a roaring success.

She said: "We are absolutely overwhelmed by the support the event has been shown this year, and wish all of our runners, cheerers and volunteers a fantastic day on Sunday.

"Adult runners, junior runners, fundraisers, students, businesses and volunteers have backed the race in record numbers, helping us to raise even more vital funds to beat muscle-wasting conditions.

"We would also like to say a sincere thank you to the wider public in Oxford.

"It is only because of your patience and support that the Town and Gown races are even possible."

Mike Cleaver, from Stonesfield near Witney originally came up with the idea for a race to help raise funds for research into Muscular Dystrophy – the disease which blighted the life of his son Daniel.

Two hundred runners took part in the first race in 1981.

But more than three decades on, the 10k course now attracts runners from all over the country and in all manner of competitors - from dedicates athletes looking to improve their personal bests to amateur runners entering for the fun of it.

One such group is the Silver Joggers from Headington, which is a running group for the over 50s.

Keith Fryn, 69, is a member of the group and has said he is upset not to be able to run this year due to other plans.

He said: "I have run it seven or eight times myself and each time has been fantastic.

"I think the event is so much more that just running, it's a signal that people should be making the most of what they've got and actually should be being active and having fun."

A true spectacle to watch and take part in, Town & Gown will wind through the historic heart of Oxford and the stunning University Parks.

Road closures and diversions allow spectators to line the route and runners, many in fancy dress, to pass the city’s remarkable architecture and sights unhindered by traffic.

There is limited availability to sign up on the day.