NEARLY 1,000 runners braved a wet and windy weather forecast to run the seventh annual Basingstoke Half Marathon on Sunday.

Starting at War Memorial Park at 11am on the dot, runners took on the 13.1 mile course around Cliddesden, Ellisfield and Farleigh Wallop before returning to War Memorial Park, where participants were greeted by enthusiastic spectators throughout the afternoon.

The forecast had been for heavy rain which may have put people off taking part in the race but those who did enjoyed ideal weather conditions of occasional light rain and mild temperatures.

Felicity Edwards, from Destination Basingstoke which organises the race, said: “It was a fantastic day, a great atmosphere. The race brings together the whole community – our businesses with their sponsorship and corporate teams, the running clubs, the charities and the residents that put up with road closures and get into the spirit of the race by cheering everyone on."

Phillips Solicitors was the headline sponsors for the fourth year running, with TechData and Marshall BMW and Mini Hampshire also providing major sponsorship.

Jonathan Pender, director at Phillips Solicitor and keen ultra runner, said: “Phillips has been proudly associated with the Basingstoke Half Marathon since it began back in 2011.

"We have watched it grow in reputation locally and further afield and we are delighted to be able to continue our association with it into the future.

"There is such a great feeling of community pride around the race and it is an excellent example of how running can bring people of all ages and abilities together.”

Elsewhere, Winchester Street running shop Up & Running supplied energy gels for runners and Mars provided free hot drinks to all runners and spectators and chocolate bars to finishers.

There were five water stations staffed and supplied by sponsors – The Apollo Hotel, The Hampshire Court Hotel and Sainsbury’s - while Brackenwood Windows sponsored all the prizes.

The Basingstoke Sports Trust led the warm-up as well as looking after a water station, Fyffes supplied bananas to finishers and pre and post race sports massages were provided by Square One Clinic.

A large team from St Michael's Hospice, the headline local charity for the event, volunteered to help out at the event, as did Brownies from the 3rd Basingstoke and 3rd Brighton Hill groups, while members of Rotary Clubs, running clubs and individuals acted as course marshals.

There was a first time winner and a champion defending their title at the half marathon this year.

Matthew Bennet, from Southampton Athletics Club, won the men's race in a time of 1 hour 12 minutes and 33 seconds after also winning the Southampton Half Marathon earlier this year.

It was a good showing for Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club on home territory, however, with the next three runners to finish - Rob Wood, Dave Ragan and Alex Hamilton respectively - all coming from the club and overall five of the top ten finishers were club members.

Meanwhile, Lesley Locks, from Hart Road Runners, defended the title she won last year, in a time of 1 hour 24 minutes and 12 seconds, eclipsing her winning time from 2016 by nearly a minute.

Entries to the 2018 race, to be held on Sunday, 7 October, are already open.

For more information, go to www.basingstokehalfmarathon.com.

Pick up a copy of Thursday's Gazette for eight pages of pictures and every runner's name and finishing time.