PRESENTING a united front – and maybe even a famous face or two – Barry Grinham and his 100-strong Prime Energy team are raring to go in Sunday’s Town and Gown Run in Oxford.

Mr Grinham, owner of the Summertown-based fitness company, first entered the run in 1995 with 10 friends.

Sixteen years on, he routinely rounds up 100 runners, with horse racing star Richard Dunwoody and former Formula 1 racing team boss Eddie Jordan joining the ranks in recent years.

Mr Grinham said: “It started as a challenge to some friends and clients and that’s grown. My company pushes people to realise their fitness potential and many now use the 10k race as a goal.”

He added: “My clients range from postmen to company directors and this year the runners will be from 14 years old right up to their mid-60s.

“We all start together, but people go at their own pace. Whatever happens we raise a great deal of money – upwards of £20,000 since 1995 – and we always meet up afterwards to talk about how we did.”

Last year Mr Grinham and his team were joined by Peter Bennett-Jones, co-founder of Comic Relief.

Mr Grinham said: “I never know who is going to turn up on the day, and whether there will be famous faces, but I’m confident we will have more than 100 runners on Sunday.”

As well as having scooped Town and Gown competition cups for the biggest fundraising individual and team, Mr Grinham runs his own competitions, awarding cups to the best novice and best professional team.

He said: “Running the Town and Gown is a fabulous experience. The surroundings, the atmosphere – and it is for an amazing cause too. We can’t wait for Sunday!”

Now in its 30th year, the Town and Gown 10k has to date raised £1m for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

Muscular dystrophy is usually diagnosed in children aged between three and five, who usually die in their 20s.

The Town and Gown run winds through the historic heart of Oxford and regularly attracts more than 4,000 entrants, many in fancy dress. Road closures enable spectators to line the route.

Places are still available in the run and the three-kilometre run for under-16s.

For more information, click on the link below or call 0207 803 4820.