A NEW race through the streets of Jericho in Oxford is hoping to tap into mounting Olympic excitement.

The Run Jericho event, which will raise money for St Barnabas Primary School, will be held exactly 365 days ahead of the Olympic torch’s visit to the city ahead of the London Olympics next year.

Two routes – a 10km adult race and a 1km family event – will be offered on Sunday, July 10, starting and finishing at the Hart Street school.

Quinn Bailey, the chairman of the school’s parents and teachers’ association, said: “It’s a community event to get the whole of Jericho involved.

“We have deliberately organised it a year to the day from the visit of the Olympic torch to Oxford to get the kids excited about the Olympics and its links to sport.”

The event, which its is hoped will become an annual fixture, will start with the 1km run at 9.30am, followed by the 10km race at 10.15am.

Roads in Jericho will be close and it is hoped that resident will line the streets.

Organisers said it could prove ideal training for runners in the new Oxford Half-Marathon in the autumn.

Mrs Bailey said: “The 10km event follows a really, really beautiful route, showcasing what’s great about Jericho.”

She added: “We’re raising funds for new sports equipment at the school and for books as well.

“The school library is looking a little bit ropey, so we would like to make as much money as possible, but the main objective is just to get people to have a really great day out.”

A weekly running club for pupils and parents has been set up at the school and Mrs Bailey said anticipation was mounting.

She said: “It has all come on the back of the run taking place and we’re building in lots of community stuff around it.”

For more information and to register visit runjericho.com