Preparations are on track for this year’s Alton 10, which takes place on Sunday, May 12.

The event, which is organised by Alton Runners and the Alton Lions, is once again included in the Hampshire Road Race League this year. The Alton 10 celebrates its 40th anniversary this year – the first race was held in a snow storm on April 1, 1984. About 500 runners entered in the first year, and since then the number of entrants has fluctuated between 500 and 750. The 2023 event took place on a hot, sunny day in May last year and was won by Harry Smith of City of Salisbury Athletics & Running Club. The women’s race was won by Tamsin Anderson of Winchester & District Athletics Club.

The event is, however, not just an athletics race – it is also a community event. All of the course marshals are provided by Alton Lions and the three water stations are manned by the 3rd Alton Scouts, the 8th Alton Scouts and the Boys’ Brigade. Medical and first aid support will once again be provided by Collingwood Medical Services. Race headquarters are at the usual place at Eggar’s School, and the race starts at Holybourne Cricket Club. The race will be started by Alton’s deputy mayor Cllr Annette Eyre.

The runners will head up from Holybourne to Binsted and complete a circuit of undulating countryside and picturesque Hampshire village lanes to finish back at the school. The hilly route has more than 600 feet of climbing.

Race director Ollie Steele-Perkins said that he is looking forward to this year’s event, which is a culmination of months of organisation, and he thanked former race director Philip Scrase for his help in getting the event off the ground.

Alton Runners is a friendly, social club that welcomes all running abilities. Anyone who would like to find out more about the club and ways to get involved, or would like to know more about the Alton 10 and how to enter, should visit the Alton Runners website at www.altonrunners.co.uk for further details.

By Jim Armitage