HUNDREDS of runners enjoyed a five-mile road race through Headington, Summertown and Marston.

A total of 350 seasoned runners and first-timers headed along the streets for the third annual Headington 5 Race.

The race on Sunday, organised by Headington Runners, saw more runners than ever and the group sold out its allocation of spaces, despite the drizzle.

James Bolton, of Woodstock Harriers, won the race with an impressive time of 26 minutes 22 seconds.

As well as running club members, there were also runners embarking on their first ever event.

Marston resident Kelly Hommer entered the five-mile race after completing the NHS “couch to 5km” challenge.

The 45-year-old said: “I just decided to sign up – it was a great run.

“I’ve only been doing it since April and I’m hoping next to do a 10km race.”

The mother-of-two completed the race in just over 45 minutes.

As well as being an event for experienced runners, the race was used to raise money for inclusive Marston-based sports and leisure centre OXSRAD at Court Place Farm, off Marsh Lane.

OXSRAD is a registered charity and at the centre disabled people can use specialist equipment alongside those using conventional gym equipment.

It is also the home of Headington Runners, which has 300 members.

Race director Steve Cowls said: “We’ve certainly got at least £2,000 which we can give to OXSRAD and maybe more.

“OXSRAD is very important to the Headington Runners because it has excellent facilities – it has got a big car park, showers, changing rooms, even a bar.

“We always try to raise money for OXSRAD whenever we do runs like this.”

Mrs Hommer, a former prosthetics technician at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, said: “It is a very good cause and something that is very important to a lot of people.”

Tim Cann, chairman of the OXSRAD charity, said: “The event fully sold out in terms of entrants, it went very well.”

Wheelchair users did not enter the event this year as the course is not considered wheelchair-friendly, but Headington Runners and OXSRAD are considering developing a course for disabled people next year.