Hundreds came together at Blenheim Palace on a sunny Spring morning for this year’s OX5 RUN.

It was a glorious day, with a wonderful sense of community and shared purpose, with the event on track to raise £100,000 or more for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

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Runners were set off at the start of the five-miler by 13-year-old Eliza Hammond, whose family has taken part for ten years running. She was joined by six-year-old Elliott Williamson, who has just finished his leukaemia treatment on Kamran’s Ward. His dad, Guy, was part of Team Kamran’s, the top fundraising team this year.

Elliot, from Beckley, near Oxford, has just finished leukaemia treatment on Kamran’s Ward, which cares for children with cancer. His dad, Guy, was part of Team Kamran’s, the top fundraising team this year.

He said: "I ran the OX5 run as a small way to give back to the hospital that has done so much for us since Elliot was diagnosed with Leukaemia eight months ago. His resilience, bravery, and good humour in the face of all he is enduring is inspirational."

Teams of families ran, some who have children currently receiving care, and others as a thank you for past treatment. They were joined by many hospital staff, including the sixty-strong Team Haem, Children’s Radiology, Oxford Vaccine Group, AAU, Emergency Department, Team Microbiology, and many more.

The event was won by 15-year-old Edward Hare, part of the Beth’s Bees team, in 29 minutes exactly, with Erica Davison, of Team Magnet Technology winning the cup for first female in 30m 58s.

The team of families and staff from Kamran's Ward, which cares for children with cancer, won the Fundraising Team cup, with Rachel Clinch winning the individual fundraiser cup. Her son Ezra was diagnosed with cancer just weeks ago.

Local businesses taking part included Penny and Sinclair, Oxford Science Park, Magnet Technology and Breckon & Breckon, who also sponsored the medals.

Watch the on the day highlights video here:

Claire Hughes, Events Officer at Oxford Hospitals Charity said: 

“We are so grateful to all the teams of families, hospital staff and the local business community that came together at this special run.

"There was such a special atmosphere, a real coming together, and we are thrilled at how many people seemed to really enjoy the whole day. Best of all our runners have worked so hard on their fundraising - and we are on track to raise £100,000 or more!

“These funds support the important extras for the Oxford Children’s Hospital and children’s services across our NHS Trust.  

"Sponsorship from this year’s event is set to help fund a specialist mobile X-ray to help the most poorly children on the wards, as well as additional specialist play sessions and improvements to ward areas at the Horton, to continue to make hospital more homely and welcoming.

“Our special thanks to everyone who took part, and also to Breckon & Breckon for their kind sponsorship of the medals, Blenheim Palace for hosting us, and Get Radio for their music and compering on the day. Thanks also to Rapid Relief, Snob and Lock, Bicester Hotel and Spa and all our volunteers.”

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of this truly local event, and we are hoping that people who have taken part throughout the years will join us for a real celebration of all the OX5 RUN has achieved.

Keep an eye on www.ox5run.com in the coming months for the launch date of next year's event.

Do visit our social media on instagram and Facebook for more photos from the day - just search Oxford Hospitals Charity.

Can't wait til then? Or looking for a another challenge?

Visit our events page to see what's on offer or get in touch at  [email protected]