THE stopwatch is ticking for potential runners to sign up to support the Oxford’s Children’s Hospital.

With less than three weeks to go until the OX5 Run, 600 people have already registered.

But this year organisers want more than 1,000 runners to take part.

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

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

Runners complete a five-mile course around Blenheim and all sponsorship goes towards buying vital equipment for the hospital.

Sarah Vaccari, from the OX5 fundraising team, is also lined up to take part. She said: “It is fantastic to have 600 entrants signed up for the run already, and this is exactly on a par with last year. But with less than three weeks remaining until the OX5 we are really hoping that many more people will sign up.

“Every year there is always a mad dash as people sign up in the last few weeks, and we know there are still plenty of people out there who intend to run, but haven’t entered as yet.

“So to make sure they get their place, their sponsorship forms and their running numbers in time, it’s really important to sign up now.”

Among those already signed up are husband and wife team Michael and Ohm Boyd, from Woodstock, who are running to say thanks for the care their baby daughter Audrey has received at the hospital.

Karen Bamford, 46, also from Woodstock, has been inspired to run by her nephew Marcus Hayles, 10, both pictured below, who has cerebral palsy.

Teams are also running from Hilltop Chauffeurs in Oxford and Rob Allen Associates, also from Oxford, which is the firm sponsoring this year’s event.

The Oxford Children’s Hospital was built in 2006 on the John Radcliffe Hospital site.

Children receive treatment for conditions including heart disease, chest problems, childhood cancer, neurological disorders and general and specialist surgery.

Equipment purchased through last year’s OX5 sponsorship cash included a cooling system used to help prevent children at risk of cerebral palsy from developing the disease.

It is estimated that the equipment will help up to 60 babies a year, who are at very high risk of developing cerebral palsy.

It is thought around eight of these babies will have a completely normal outcome following treatment and there will be significant improvements in development scores for some of the other infants, meaning they develop a milder form of cerebral palsy Registration for the OX5 Run is now open. To sign up, go to oxfordmail.co.uk/ news/ox5run The Oxford Mail would also like to hear from other people planning to take part in the run. Contact the newsdesk on 01865 425500.

news@oxfordmail.co.uk