The Oxford Mail’s annual charity run is just 10 weeks away and organisers are calling on fundraisers to get on their running shoes.

After the excesses of Christmas and New Year, the OX5 Run gives everyone the chance to get back in shape and raise vital funds for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

The ninth OX5 Run will take place at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, on Sunday, March 20, and organisers are hoping to break all previous records.

Last April more than 850 runners completed the run and raised £57,000 for the charity.

Sarah Vaccari, from the children’s hospital, is among those who will take part.

The mum-of-two, from Benson, first ran in 2009 when her two-year-old daughter Rosa underwent heart surgery at the hospital. Mrs Vaccari said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have the Oxford Mail OX5 Run back for its ninth year and hope that Oxford Mail readers will be inspired once again to pull on their trainers and get running.

“There’s 10 weeks until the event, which is plenty of time to get some training done, so this is a great way to get fit and support your local children’s hospital.

“Every penny raised really does make a difference.”

The hospital was built in 2006 on the John Radcliffe Hospital site after fundraisers raised more than £14m.

Children receive treatment for conditions including heart disease, chest problems, childhood cancer, neurological disorders and general and specialist surgery.

Accommodation is also available for parents to stay overnight, either next to their child’s bed or in a dedicated suite.

Money raised from last year’s event was used to buy new medical equipment and upgrade facilities.

Mrs Vaccari added: “We really hope readers get behind the event and make the 2011 OX5 Run the most successful yet.”

Oxford recruitment firm Allen Associates will be sponsoring the event for the third year in a row, with director Rob Allen set to take part.

Last year Nicola Gomm was the fastest woman, Gary Crone was the fastest male and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Team scooped both the Oxford Mail Challenge Cup and the Community Cup trophies.

Jo Coady, Oxford Mail promotions manager, said: “It’s a fantastic event which raises money for an incredibly important cause.

“Every year the event gets bigger and bigger and this year we hope to have more runners and raise more money than ever before.”

To get involved, visit orhcharitablefunds.nhs.uk call 01865 743428, or download an entry form at the link below