A PARALYMPIAN who competed in the London 2012 Paralympics is one of two elite runners who will compete in this year’s Basingstoke Half-Marathon.

Jonah Chesum, who is 25 and finished sixth in the 800metres and seventh in the 1500m at the Paralympic games, will compete alongside 31-year-old Kenyan marathon runner Gladys Kwambai on the Basingstoke course on October 5.

Destination Basingstoke, which organises the half-marathon, is encouraging more runners to sign up as there are still places available for the challenging course.

This year, the race will be enhanced by the addition of 10 “pacers” from the Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletic Club and Chineham Park Running Club, who will be wearing yellow t-shirts and running at a consistent pace through the race to help others achieve their goals.

Assistant race director Nina Muir said: “This year, we wanted to introduce another element to the race to help people achieve specific goals they may have.

“We have a lot of loyal runners who have run the race since the inaugural year; and perhaps now want to improve on their times.

“There will also be newcomers who want some ‘hand holding’ too. Our enthusiastic pacers are looking forward to helping our runners reach the finish line with a new PB.”

After the gruelling race, competitors will be able to gain free entry to OctoberFest, at Basingstoke Cricket and Sports Ground, in Fairfields Road.

To accommodate the course, road closures will be in place. For more details about entering, and any other aspects of the event, visit basingstokehalfmarathon.com.