ALMOST 2,000 runners are on their marks to compete in tomorrow’s Oxford Half Marathon.

The race is expected to raise about £10,000 for Helen & Douglas House hospice in East Oxford.

Olympian marathon runner Liz Yelling is expected to lead the elite field, with fun runners setting off at a much slower pace to raise funds for good causes.

They include Jason Tasker, 32, from Garsington, who is hoping to raise £2,000 for three-year-old Charlotte Nott, from Oxford, whose limbs were amputated below the joints last year to stop the spread of meningitis.

Following a warm-up led by Zumba dance expert George Martini, city council leader Bob Price will start the race at 9.30am from Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium.

Runners will then head towards the city centre before returning to the football stadium to cross the finishing line.

Event spokesman Andy Heyes, 48, said he was delighted the race was about to get under way.

He added: “There are about 1,950 runners who have signed up.

“Unfortunately runners will not be able to turn up and enter on the day.

“It has taken us about two years to get to this point, but it should be a great occasion for the city of Oxford.

“We were looking to stage a half marathon in a major city which didn’t have an event like it, and considered the Midlands and South Wales, but Oxford was always our first choice.

“We have received great support from organisations in the city and our sponsors, including BMW Mini.

“Next year we hope the race will grow and we would love to see 5,000 runners taking part.”

Poppy Hanbury, events fundraiser at Helen & Douglas House, said: “We are hoping the half marathon raises between £10,000 and £12,000 for the hospice and look forward to working with the organisers in years to come. Three members of staff, Ellen Jardine, Tim Wraith and Kate Barklie are taking part in the race.”

Mr Heyes said runners would begin gathering at the stadium after 8am and added: “By 8.30am it should start to get very busy as runners prepare for the race.”

Runners paid £20 to enter and those completing the course will receive a medal and a goodie bag.

Mr Heyes said runners’ times would be recorded as they crossed the finishing line through a chip tag attached to the laces of their trainers.

Marathon organisers will staff an information desk at the Kassam Stadium. The emergency number for runners is 07530 224730.

The half marathon is not the city’s first – Oxford’s Rotary clubs organised an event which attracted up to 3,000 runners from 1988 to 1993.