Thousands of runners gear up for this year's Basingstoke Half-Marathon

This is the ninth year that the Destination Basingstoke event has taken over the roads around the town, as thousands of pounds is raised for various charities.

This year you also have the chance to enter as a Zero Waste runner – this is all the race but without the bling – so if you don’t mind forgoing a medal, t shirt and carrying your own water, then you can help us do our bit for the environment and pay a lower entry fee.

In addition to the annual 13-mile run, this year will host the first ever Basingstoke 10km running at the same time.

The half marathon starts from Hackwood Road adjacent to the War Memorial Park in Basingstoke and is a road race starting in the town, but with most of the route on traffic free minor roads through undulating countryside.

Here is what you need to know about this year’s event:

The Route:

The race course heads out of town on closed roads towards the village of Cliddesden, runners will pass the Jolly Farmer pub, then turn left by the village pond to head up towards Cliddesden School.

They will then enter the village of Ellisfield at mile 4, then turn left towards the church, then right down College Lane with a lovely gentle downhill to mile 6. Turn right and right again before climbing back up past The Fox Inn returning to Ellisfield, then take a left towards Farleigh Wallop.

Between miles 8 and 9 there is the legendary ‘Big Dipper’ as affectionately named by local runners, (actually its proper name is ‘Bedlam Bottom’) where the road drops by 100 feet then regains it almost immediately.

Then follow the tree-lined Avenue to mile 9, and from here it is more or less downhill to the finish.

Once reaching the crossroads runners will turn right downhill with some fabulous views across the countryside with Basingstoke in the distance.

Back through Cliddesden and towards town, taking a right by the Holiday Inn to return to the race village in War Memorial Park with the last 130m on grass in the park.

Road closures:

Approximate timings for each area are explained below, and roads will be re-opened as soon as possible, please be aware that there could be delays outside of these estimated times, and the road closure order will be in place for the whole period.

1. Hackwood Road, Basingstoke: Closure in both directions from the junction with Southern Road, up to the junction with Hackwood roundabout – anticipated closure time: 9am until 12noon, access to Southern Road will be available throughout this period.

2. Traffic will be held on the A30 on east and west approaches to the Hackwood roundabout between estimated as 10.50am and 11.15am.

3. Hackwood Road between Hackwood Roundabout and Venture roundabout (southbound carriageway only), estimated closure time 10am to 11.30am. The Hackwood Stores remains open throughout the day.

4. Closure of A339/Hackwood Road both directions from Venture roundabout to junction with Farleigh Road (B3046). It is estimated this closure will be from 10am until 2.30pm. Access will remain only from Poynings Crescent and the Holiday Inn northbound, and for emergency vehicles. Diversion route for the A339 will be Tunworth Road and Huish Lane to Old Basing and the A30.

5. Closure of Farleigh Road (B3046) in both directions from junction with A339 to junction with Grammarsham Lane at Farleigh Wallop between approximately 10am and 2.30pm.

6. Closure in both directions of Church Lane/Hackwood Lane/Northgate Lane between Cliddesden village and Ellisfield (junction with Grammarsham Lane) estimated between 10am and 2.30pm.

7. Closure of Woods Lane – 10am to 2.30pm

8. Closure in both directions of Church Lane in Ellisfield up to junction with Green Lane Ellisfield, estimated between 10am and 2pm.

9. Closure of Church Lane Ellisfield from junction with Green Lane to junction with College Lane at Wildmoor Farm estimated between 10am and 2pm.

10. Closure of College Lane between junction with Church Lane at Wildmoor Farm and junction with Berrydown Lane estimated between 10am and 2pm.

11. Closure of Berrydown Lane between junction with College Lane and junction with Green Lane estimated between 10 and 2pm

12. Closure of Green Lane between junction with Berrydown Road and Church Lane, Ellisfield estimated between 10 and 2pm.

13. Closure of Grammarsham Lane/The Avenue between Ellisfield and the junction with Farleigh Road (B3046) between 10am and 2pm.

14. Closure of Grove Road between Venture Roundabout and junction with Whistler Close, estimated between 10am and 2.45pm.

Spectators:

For safety reasons and to ensure a good view, we suggest that spectators use the following viewing points:

• Spectators for the start area will be directed to the wide grass verges at the south end of Hackwood Road, before the Hackwood Road roundabout. Spectators will not be allowed on the start line.

• The Holiday Inn on the A339 will make a good viewing spot for the first and last mile, and refreshments will be available all day.

• The Jolly Farmer pub in Cliddesden will be good viewing point for runners at mile 2 (3k) and as they return at mile 11 (6K) – again refreshments and food available all day, please stay on the footpaths to avoid obstructing the runners.

• The Fox Inn in Ellisfield will also be a good viewing point located at mile 6 – as they speed up the hill. Open from 9am for breakfast and through the day.

Please support these local businesses that have entered into the spirit of the day but remember access will be very limited due to the road closures in place, so why not go early and settle in for a day of celebration.

10k Race:

The 10k race starts from Hackwood Road, just outside the War Memorial Park, following the route of the half marathon along closed roads to the village of Cliddesden.

Then there is a hill out of the village for about three quarters of a mile before the turn point just before the ‘Farleigh Wallop’ sign, where racers retrace their steps downhill back to the village and follow the same route to the finish in War Memorial Park.

The race starts at 11.00am at the same time and place as the half marathon. Overall there is about 300 feet of elevation with the same in descent.

Start time:

Both races start at 11am.

For more details visit destinationbasingstoke.co.uk/basingstoke-half-marathon