City charity races set to raise £300k

About 6,600 people completed one of the 10k or 3k races

Sold-out charity races completed by about 6,600 people on Sunday are on course to raise £300,000.

The Bidwells Oxford 10k and junior 3k races were organised by Muscular Dystrophy UK, which has organised the event since 1982.

It was inspired by local boy Daniel Cleaver, who had muscular dystrophy and died aged 12 in 1990, and Sunday's edition was attended by local schools and other fundraising teams.

They included about 180 pupils from Oxford's Summer Fields School who completed the 3k (1.8 miles) and Red Watch from the city's Rewley Road fire station who completed the 10k (6.2 miles) in full kit.

Oxford firefighters from Rewley Road station also completed Sunday's race

The firefighters, who also carried a 50kg casualty training mannequin on a stretcher, raised over £1,100 for Muscular Dystrophy UK and the Fire Fighters Charity.

The 10k race was started by Tristan Boedts, 28, who has limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and completed it last year. He completed Sunday's course in about two and a half hours, accompanied by family and friends.

"This is a true community event, and we're delighted that it continues to grow, selling out in advance for a second year running," Jessie Keighley, Muscular Dystrophy UK's events manager, said.

"The money raised will make a huge difference, helping us to continue funding ground-breaking research and supporting those living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions."