GETTING pelted with paint while running 5km will help injured animals across the county as Run or Dye returns to Cornbury Park.

The run, which sees runners showered with explosions of powdered dye, has partnered with Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, which provides a refuge for several hundred animals at a time that have been mistreated, neglected or abandoned.

Runners can raise money for the sanctuary, in Stadhampton, and volunteers from the animal centre will be on hand throughout the event on Saturday, September 26.

Fundraiser Phoebe Stewart Cox said: “Run or Dye is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the sanctuary and a brilliant way to bring colour into our fundraising.

“We’re looking forward to the event at Cornbury Park and our partnership with Run or Dye.”

Help for Heroes are also working in partnership with the Run or Dye 5km run.

The event is inspired by the ancient Hindu festival of Holi, also known as the ‘Festival of Colours’.

Last year about 2,500 people turned out and registration is now open for us to make this year bigger and better than before.

Spokeswoman Yvonne Turner said: “I hope to beat what we had last year. We have 1,500 signed up this year already so that’s good going. The numbers just keep going up.

“Run or Dye is all about creating the opportunity to have fun and take part in unique, beautiful venues. Cornbury Park fits right into that.”

The 5km route takes place in the 1,700-acre Cornbury Park estate, near Charlbury, the most ancient forest in Britain and one of only a small number that are private.

Organisers said the powdered dye runners will be blasted with as they run is plant-based, eco-friendly and completely safe.

After receiving goodie bags and dye to throw, runners will take part in a musical warm-up before being directed into a starting funnel.

During the route, runners will pass through five ‘Dye Zones’ and be splattered with more paint, as well as extra mess from the event’s ‘Colour Crew’.

Early tickets are now sold out but standard registration costs £30, and children aged six and under go free.

All participants will receive a plain white T-shirt and a dye pack.

* For more information, visit runordye.co.uk/uk-locations/oxford