RECORD numbers of runners competed in yesterday's Town and Gown Fun Run.

Runners in the Town and Gown Fun Run

More than 2,350 people joined the 10km race through the heart of Oxford in glorious sunshine, watched by hundreds of cheering spectators.

In a separate 3.5km junior race, 86 children aged 14 and under entered.

The race attracted a mix of serious athletes, local running club members, fun-runners, and fundraisers in fancy dress. The Oxford Mail-sponsored event raised more than £30,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

The first person to cross the finishing line was 25-year-old Neo Molema, from Cape Town in South Africa, who completed the course in 30 minutes 45 seconds. Second place went to Thembelani Zola, 21, also from Cape Town, who clocked 32 minutes 25 seconds.

The first woman across the line was Caroline Wetherell in 36 minutes 18 seconds, followed in second and third positions by Malinda Myers and Alison Hirst.

Mr Molema said: "I ran okay but was surprised to win. It is a good flat course, but it was hard work."

One of the first Oxfordshire runners to finish was Stephen Kimber, 23, from Gordon Close, Old Marston, who came sixth, with a time of 34 minutes and five seconds.

He said: "The race is of a very high standard, and it always seems to be hot. The atmosphere is really good. There are lots of other road races, but you don't get the same support that you do here."

Running the race for the first time was Kirk Adams, 20, from Bellenger Way, Kidlington, a member of the Woodstock Harriers running club. Mr Adams, who only started running six months ago, finished in 39 minutes and 40 seconds.

One of the more unusual entrants was caveman Mick Duffield, from Tysoe in Warwickshire -- who works for Westlake Roofing in Witney. He was dressed in a furry loin cloth, wig and fake beard and carried a club.

Six Territorial Army soldiers from the Royal Green Jackets, based at The Slade in Headington, completed the run in full military dress with 40lb rucksacks.

Cpl Nick Clark said: "We did it to improve our fitness, and as part of our training for an exercise in the Ukraine."

Four members of the Officer Training Corps -- at Oxford, Oxford Brookes and Reading Universities -- also completed the run with packs and boots.

Two members of Oxford University Juggling Club entertained the crowds by running while juggling. Simon Dambe, 20, from St Edmund Hall, and Alyn Still, 18, from Lady Margaret College, completed the course while each keeping three balls in the air.

Trudy Ing, from Headington, Oxford, and Linda John, from Didcot, entered as Batman and Robin.

Race administrator Anne Jackson, a regional officer for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign said: "It was a brilliant day and the people of Oxford did us proud.

"It is a lovely event and the runners love it. It was the biggest field ever with a record number of entries."

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Gill Sanders, said: "It was a gorgeous day. It rased a lot of money for charity and gave people pleasure. It is a nice event."