More than 1,100 runners gearing up to give for Oxford Children's Hospital

The 14th annual Oxford Mail OX5 Run is finally upon us and unlike last year the weather forecast looks good.

Over a year ago the 1,001 runners battled with wind and rain to collectively raise £106,000 and a similar amount is expected this year.

The palace gates will open from 8.30am and as is now tradition a Zumba-style warm up will get things underway at 10am.

The Latin-inspired dance routine will be run by Zumba instructor George Martini who put the spectators and runners through their paces last year.

The run will start at 10.30am and the starting klaxon will be sounded by eight-year-old Lucas Cox.

At just nine days old the Didcot schoolboy was rushed to hospital for surgery on a deformed valve in his heart.

Aged three he was given pacemaker which now gives him a heartbeat and keeps him alive.

His dad David, who will be running the OX5, said he was excited by the responsibility.

He said: "He's looking forward to it and he will be there on the start line setting everyone off.

"The hospital has been life-changing for us the work they do and the whole package they provide is so important.

"Without them we wouldn't have my son here with us.

The 35-year-old from Didcot added: "It's not a nice place to be but they make it as nice as possible and it's great to raise as much money as we can for them."

Sarah Vaccari, from the hospital's charity, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have over 1,100 people signed up for this year’s OX5 RUN in support of the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

"So many of those taking part have first-hand experience of the hospital and know only too well what a difference events like this can make.

"When we ask them why they are running they tell us it is because they simply want to say thank you, or that the hospital has saved their child’s life.

She added: "The hospital means so much to them and that is why they will be at Blenheim tomorrow.

"That’s also why this is such a special event with the community at its heart."

Four-year-old Jack Wolstencroft-Stone urged members of the public to become superheroes by signing up for the run when it launched at the end of last year.

The Banbury boy suffers from painful juvenile arthritis but regular treatment at the hospital has helped him to run around as normal.

The cheeky chappy has convinced his mum, Tracy, to run as the Incredible Hulk.

She said: "It was all about becoming a superhero when we launched the run and Jack is absolutely obsessed with the Hulk.

"I'm trying to find an outfit so we will have to see how it goes.

"He's really looking forward to the race as well and will be there with his dad Simon cheering me on."

The 33-year-old added: "The hospital is like a second home for the family and Jack loves it there - he knows everybody by name and they are so good to him."

An array of wonderful outfits from bees to minions grace the OX5 Run each year and tomorrow should be no different.

Four-year-old Jack Wolstencroft-Stone has forced his mum to run as The Hulk

For the eighth year running the event is sponsored by city recruitment firm Allen Associates, who will have their very own team taking on the Blenheim Palace course.

Managing director Kate Allen said taking part in the run was great for team spirit.

She said: "The annual OX5 Run has become a ‘look-forward-to-highlight’ event not only for our team but also for many of our clients, candidates and suppliers. 

"We spend many weeks in the run-up to the event familiarising ourselves with the route and betting on our winners

"It nurtures a very healthy competitive spirit in the team and brings us all together in our shared misery of those terrible hills

She added: "We always go out for a celebratory meal after the OX5 Run - It’s a wonderful way to bring us all together and to give something back after a great family day out."

Participants and spectators are advised to give themselves plenty of time to avoid traffic around the grounds.