900 runners took part in the OX5 RUN in support of the Oxford Children’s Hospital this weekend.

The annual event, which is in its 23^rd year, took place at Blenheim Palace and participants were blessed with a beautiful Spring morning for the fundraiser, which is organised by Oxford Hospitals Charity.

The runners were set off at the start line by 14-year-old Giovanna Santos. Gio, as she is known, has a very rare cancer called neuroblastoma and is a regular patient on Kamran’s Ward in the hospital.

Gio was joined by a large group of friends and family and even managed to take part in the five mile event alongside them.

Teams of families, hospital staff and the local business community all came together at this special run, which looks set to raise over £100,000.

This year’s winner was the youngest ever - 12 year old Leo Blyton - who crossed the line in an amazing 30 minutes and 39 seconds.

Leo was part of the Beth’s Bees running team – and knows all about the Oxford Children’s Hospital because his younger brother, Zac received treatment for cancer there when he was seven.

Anna Kelly was the first woman across the line in 32 minutes and 27 seconds. Anna was part of the 36-strong Oxford Vaccine Group team, who have entered the event every year since the OX5 RUN began back in 2002.

The Oxford Vaccine Group were also the overall winners of the team cup!

The top individual fundraiser on the day was Chris Fulwell, who has raised over £3,000 with money still coming in. Chris’ baby son is currently being cared for in the hospital for serious seizures, so he knows first hand what a difference fundraising makes. 

The run also fell on Chris’ birthday, so a crowd of hundreds sang happy birthday to him before he set off.

The fun run raises important extras for the Oxford Children’s Hospital and children’s services across Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, such as play areas, sensory equipment to calm and distract young patients, and specialist medical technology for complex surgery.

Tamsin Rawlings from Oxford Hospitals Charity said: “We were blessed with the most beautiful morning at Blenheim and everyone brought such positivity to this very special event. It is so heartening to see new friends and old, coming together to support our wonderful Children’s Hospital, we are incredibly grateful to all who took part and also our amazing army of volunteers who supported the event.

“This year the medals were sponsored by Breckon & Breckon and the lead car was sponsored by Motofix – sponsors like this make such a difference to the OX5 RUN. Special thanks also go to Get Radio and Blenheim Palace for their wonderful support, Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa for the warm up, Joe Baker photography and Aston James Clothing.

“And most of all to all the runners who help us make such difference to local children cared for by our amazing hospital teams”

Timings from the day can be found here https://events.sportsystems.co.uk/results/  just scroll down to OX5 RUN 2024

And do look at our social media (search for us using 'Oxford Hospitals Charity' for hundreds of photos from the day.

And it's not to late to sponsor someone - search for your friends and family here