They ran five miles, they raised big smiles

The weather threw everything it could at us at Blenheim Palace this Sunday, 29 March 2015. But the Oxford Mail OX5RUN will be remembered for so much more than just the wind and rain.

It was the year a woman, Sophie Carter, crossed the line first in a time of 31 minutes and nine seconds, with Matthew Pembroke just a second behind. To hear that Sophie's children have both received help from the Oxford Children's Hospital adds even more depth to her triumph.

It was also the year when 70 teams took part, including many from the business world, and of course parents of children treated here, who turned out in their droves with family and friends running alongside them.

And it was the year over 1,000 runners showed their support for the Oxford Children's Hospital - including a minion, a fox chasing a chicken, ninjas, superheroes, bees and numerous other people in fancy dress!

Children's Hospital fundraiser Penny Hambridge said: "We are incredibly grateful to all those who made this whole event possible. The Oxford Mail organises this run every year, and months of hard work and planning go into it. Allen Associates has once again sponsored the event and rallied the business community to get behind it, and Martin Keown was joined by hospital patient Magnus Cameron to set the runners off in style. Thanks also to Heart fm, SH Communications, Bicester Guides and all the volunteers on the day.

"But in particular we want to thank the thousand runners who braved the elements to make it such a special day. We now ask just one more thing from them - to keep working on their sponsorship. With their help we hope to raise £100,000 to make a real difference for our young patients and their families when they need it most."

Do look at our Facebook page for hundreds of photos taken on the day.

There are also many photos on the Oxford Mail website.

Watch our video on YouTube - https://youtu.be/a5V5nLUqgdY

You can find your time for the run here http://www.sportsystems.co.uk/ss/results/Ox5Run/1715

(Please note the time begins when the klaxon sounds, so this may differ a little for runners who started at the back.)

Fundraising

Please remember this is first and foremost a fundraising event and the funds raised make a huge difference to our young patients and their families. So do keep asking people to sponsor you.

If you have set up an online page we will receive your money automatically. Otherwise you should send the money by cheque together with your sponsorship forms to the charity office, bring it in person or call to pay over the phone.

Just call us on 01865 743444 or email charity@ouh.nhs.uk

Sponsorship needs to be in by 11 May 2015.

Congratulations to Sophie Carter, who crossed the line first in a time of 31 minutes and nine seconds, and Matthew Pembroke who was just a second behind.

The Challenge Cup (overall winning team) was won by Unipart Strivers, the Corporate Cup by Nicholsons Nursery and the Community Cup by the Oxford Vaccine Group.

Particular congratulations to the teams who have done so well with their fundraising, including Team Remy & Ralph, Scott Fraser Ltd, the Nepalese Community Oxfordshire, Team Martha, Sammy's Soldiers, Clarendon Business Centres, Zac and Finlay, TEAM REGGIE BOY, Team Elliot and the National Locums.