Get fit for OX5 Run (From Witney Gazette)

Get fit for OX5 Run

7:30am Saturday 20th January 2007 in Headlines By Phil Vinter

COMPETITORS should be raring to go at the start of this year's OX5 run - even if the temperature is at a chilly teeth-chattering level.

Thanks to fitness instructor Louise Benoist - who works at the Esporta Fitness Centre in Oxford - competitors will be able to get the blood pumping before the event on Sunday, March 25, with a warm-up session.

Miss Benoist will be getting runners bouncing along to some upbeat music before the big race at Blenheim Palace.

More than 1,000 people took part in last year's race, organised by The Oxford Times and the Oxford Mail, which raised about £50,000 for the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign.

The Fitness Centre, off Woodstock Road, is also hoping to enter a 25-man team for the five-mile race through the picturesque palace grounds.

Simon Stokes, general manager at Esporta, explained why he had decided to throw his weight behind the event.

He said: "It is good for the Oxford community for us to get involved and it is an opportunity for us to promote ourselves in the community.

"All year we have been raising money for the children's hospital charity and this is an event that we really wanted to get involved with."

Miss Benoist said she planned to do a 15-minute warm up and said runners would have no excuse not to put in a good performance after her workout.

She said: "I will be warming up the major muscle groups and getting people in good spirits before the race.

"I think it is a really worthy thing because not only is it helping to get people fit, it is also helping to raise money for charity as well.

"I'm looking forward to it and I think I will probably run afterwards as well."

OX5 takes place on Sunday, March 25, and organisers are hoping that the number of entrants on the starting line will top last year's figure.

Anybody interested in taking part in the event is asked to fill in an application form as soon as possible in return for a sponsorship pack.

Those who raise £100 in sponsorship will earn a limited edition Chox T-shirt, those who raise £200 will be rewarded with a limited edition Chox sweatshirt and those who manage to break the £300 barrier will receive a limited edition Chox hoody style top.

The closing date for entries is Saturday, March 10.

Contact 01865 425273 for more details.