HUNDREDS of residents will once again put on their trainers for Run Jericho this month.

The family sport event, which includes a 10-kilometre route for adults and a one-mile run for children, takes in the scenic surroundings of Jericho, Worcester College, Port Meadow and the Oxford Canal.

Money raised through entry fees and sponsorship of the event will go to St Barnabas Primary School, with runners also free to raise money for their own charities.

Event committee member and chief marshall Katie Baxendale, who lives in Southmoor Road, said this year’s run, on Sunday, will see the event’s biggest show of children since it started.

She said: “It is always a friendly and fun day and one of the most stunningly beautiful runs you can do in the city.

“It has a proper Jericho feel to it and is perfect for families.”

So far the event has the backing of sponsors including Oxford University Press, George & Davis ice cream, Lucy Properties, North Oxford Property and the Co-op, which will provide croissants for the 50 marshalls required on the day.

The children’s race, which takes a closed-off route through Jericho and the grounds of Worcester College, has 200 participants set to take part, Mrs Baxendale said.

Her husband, Duncan, runs the adult race every year and her children Ava, nine, and Otto, six, will also take on the children’s course.

Mrs Baxendale added: “My kids always really enjoy it. In the weeks beforehand, we do a running club which teaches the children to pace themselves a bit because they are all very eager. It’s great when you see them being so determined and they all get round, even the four-year-olds which is quite a feat at that age.

“And we have seen an even better turnout since the 2012 Olympics.”

The event starts with the children’s run at 9am, followed by the longer adult run at 9.45am, which closes at 11.30am. The start line is at St Barnabas Primary School, in Hart Street.

Every registered runner who finishes will be given an ice cream by sponsors George & Davis, in Little Clarendon Street.

  • Registration for the one-mile race has finished, but places remain on the adult route – see runjericho.com