RUNNERS, joggers and walkers are being urged to sign up for the 36th Oxford Town and Gown 10k run and help smash the £2m fundraising mark.

Thousands of people are expected to flood the city streets in a sea of orange on Sunday, May 14, for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

But organisers from the charity hope to pull in a record number of runners to help smash through the £2m fundraising mark this year.

Event manager Krishan Solanki said: "We are delighted to announce the Town and Gown 10k is back for its 36th year in Oxford.

"Thanks to amazing support from people across Oxfordshire, we are on target to smash the £2m barrier.

"Your generous fundraising and donations have helped us provide emotional and practical support to thousands of people across Oxfordshire, as well as funding cutting-edge research, much of which takes place right here in Oxford."

So far, 588 people have signed up to the 10K race which last year attracted about 4,000 competitors.

Organisers hope for an influx of runners over the coming months to bring that figure up and over last year's total.

In doing so they hope the challenge, which has been running for several years, will have raised more than £2m for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

The charity helps people with the muscle-wasting condition and ultimately aims to help find a cure.

Muscle-wasting conditions affect just over one in every 1,000 people and the charity works to provide support to those fighting the condition, plus their families and the professionals looking after them.

Last year, thousands of runners pounded the city's historic pavements under the sunshine to successfully raise £135,000 for the charity.

The money far surpassed the £120,000 mark to go towards the 70,000 people living with the muscle-wasting condition in the UK.

Mr Solanki added: "The Town and Gown races are fun days for all involved, no matter how experienced the runner. It’s always great to see seasoned runners who are chasing their personal bests side-by-side with others, who are taking part their first race. Everyone comes together to support each other and the charity. Each of them are helping change lives."

Oxford Town and Gown 2016 set the bar for this year's event and organiser hope to attract 4,500 people to take on the 10K this May.

It is also hoped that the host of people running this year's event will step up their fundraising fancy dress efforts as much as last year after Mr Tickle, Minions and a group of Mexicans were spotted running last year's course.

The route once again takes in the city sights as runners start at University Parks and make their way through the city.

It will be staged on Sunday, May 14, and adults can take part in the 10k whilst children can enjoy the 3K Junior Fun Run.

Sign up online townandgown10k.com