BASINGSTOKE’S annual half-marathon is set to go overseas this year -in a manner of speaking.

Up to 50 members of The Queen’s Company 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards are hoping to join runners at the Basingstoke Half Marathon on October 7.

The issue is, the guards will be thousands of miles away on active duty in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The battalion, based in Aldershot, is keen to support local races even when they are out the country, so soldiers decided to run in parallel to the race.

Sergeant Ben Hayden, of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, said: “We are pleased to support local races and raise some money for charity, it’s also a great way to focus our training.

“We will be stationed at high altitude, so should be ready to tackle the legendary hills of the Basingstoke half.”

Members of the battalion will set off at the same time as runners back in Basingstoke and will still be aiming to complete the 13.1 miles race in the quickest time among themselves.

Plans are advancing well for this year’s race, with Bovis Homes joining Tech Data and headline sponsors Phillips solicitors in supporting the event along with: Festival Place, Fyffes, Square One, KIND bars, Mars Drinks, Up & Running, Apollo Hotel, Brackenwood Windows, Face TV, Breeze, the Gazette, Basingstoke Brownies, St Michael’s Hospice, Basingstoke Deane Rotary Club and others.

Felicity Edwards, race director from Destination Basingstoke which organises the Basingstoke Half Marathon, said: “It’s fantastic to have the Grenadier Guards running with us and supporting the race even when they can’t be with us in person.

“We hope it can be streamed on social media so we can keep an eye on the race both in Afghanistan and here in Basingstoke.

“The only thing is we won’t be able to present them with their medals, so will have to post them in advance. We hope it is the start of a great partnership and will inspire others to join the race.”

Entries are still open for this year’s race with costs of £33 to £35 depending on club affiliation.

As always, the route will begin and end in War Memorial Park.

To sign up to this year’s race, go to basingstokehalfmarathon.com.