RECRUITMENT boss Rob Allen is used to putting people through their paces, but he will be the one feeling the heat when he takes part in this year’s OX5 Run.

Mr Allen, 49, who lives in Barnard Gate, near Witney, is a co-director of Allen Associates, along with his wife Kate, also 49.

This will be the third year the couple have sponsored the event, which raises money for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Father-of-two, Mr Allen said: “We are extremely proud to sponsor the OX5 event and love taking part.

“This will be our second time in the race – last year, despite our best efforts, we missed it because we were stranded in Morocco by the ash cloud. But this year we, and also a group of our staff, will be making up for it.”

As well as training for the OX5 Mr Allen is preparing for the London Marathon, which he will also run for the children’s hospital charity, Chox.

He said: “I started a formal marathon training programme in September and it’s going well.

“On Sundays I run long distances and according to my programme, on the day of the OX5 I’m also due to run 22 miles – it may be that I do it the day after, or I might just do the OX5 and keep going.”

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

Mr Allen said: “We are urging as many people as possible to take part this year because the money raised really makes a huge difference.

“The people of Oxfordshire can be very proud knowing they raised £15m – half of the cost of building the hospital.

“But by raising sponsorship in OX5 they are also buying hospital equipment that really is the icing on the cake.”

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

Children’s hospital spokes-man Sarah Vaccari, who will take part in this year’s event, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have the 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. ”

To get involved visit orhcharitablefunds.nhs.uk or call 01865 743428