A RECORD number of runners will take to the streets on aid of charity on Sunday to take on the Oxford Half Marathon.

More than 10,000 runners have signed up to battle the 13.1-mile course which starts at Broad Street, goes up almost the full length of Banbury Road, before coming back down to the Marston Ferry Road, through Marston and back to the city centre.

Thousands more are expected to be out in force as volunteers or spectators lining the streets.

Lizzy Howell, a spokeswoman for events organisers GO2, encouraged residents to step out their house on Sunday morning and cheer on the competitors.

She said: "This year has hit a record level of entries and we are delighted it has proved to be so popular.

"We have more runners than ever that need your support and we are encouraging everyone to come out for the day, take to their doorsteps and cheer on the runners as spectators play a big role in creating the race day atmosphere."

Several charities, such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Sobell House and Oxford United Community Trust have been named as partners for the race and runners can opt to run for them or for their own cause.

Among the runners will be a team of friends, family and footballers taking part in memory of Oxford City managing director Colin Taylor.

The 62-year-old, who volunteered at the club for more than 20 years and set up numerous teams to make football “all-inclusive”, died in July.

His daughter Laura Hextall said it would be an "emotional" run and that money raised would go to the Oxford City Casuals - a team set up by Colin for disabled adults and children across the county to play the beautiful game.

A number of roads will be closed in North Oxford and Marston to allow for the fundraisers to make their way through the city. Major disruption on the roads last year led to local councillors lobbying organisers GO2 to be better prepared this time around.

The race will see 27 roads partially or fully closed from 8am until around midday including key routes such as Marston Ferry Road, Cherwell Drive and Banbury Road - between St Giles and Carlton Road.

City councillor for the area Liz Wade, said improvements had been made but that residents still had concerns ahead of the race.

She said: "One of the major problems last year was the traffic on Kingston Road and Walton Street, drivers were waiting in queues for up to 45 minutes, which is a long time.

"There also weren't enough access points across the racecourse for people to get around.

"While we have seen some improvements, such as the Woodstock Road being fully open, there are still concerns about traffic and also about notification - many people have not been given enough notice.

"I'm not a complete killjoy and I'm all for event like this but there are other people to consider."

She added that a group of residents would be monitoring disruption during the race with a view to raising any issues with the organisers going forward.

There will also be parking restrictions on a number of roads - listed below from overnight on Saturday to 2.30pm on Sunday.

In a statement GO2 said: "every effort" had been made to minimise the disruption caused during the race.