MORE than 300 runners packed the streets of Basingstoke as the annual Festival 5k race returned.

Sponsored by Croudace Homes and organised by Destination Basingstoke, the race with its quirky course goes through Festival Place, the Top of the Town, Basing View and Eastrop Park returned to the town on Sunday, 13 May.

Starting and finishing in Festival Square, this year’s race was won by Rob Wood from Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club member, with a time of 16 minutes 52 seconds, who edged out Alex Bigg to the gold medal by four seconds.

Fellow Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics club member Mitch Lloyd was the first lady who completed the course in 19 minutes 48 seconds, closely followed by Gemma Bigg a second later.

Felicity Edwards from Destination Basingstoke said: “The sun shone and the whole town centre entered into the spirit of the day, the runners and supporters were out in force in another sell-out race, we have had some fantastic feedback and want to thank all the sponsors and businesses that got involved as well St Michael’s Hospice and the Basingstoke Brownies and a very loyal and enthusiastic band of volunteer marshals.”

This race forms part of Destination Basingstoke’s on - going strategy to create self-funding events and projects that actively demonstrate quality of life and business in the Basingstoke area.

Paula Parsons, corporate affairs manager at Croudace Homes added: “Croudace Homes were proud to sponsor this ever popular event. It was a brilliant morning; as usual the atmosphere was terrific, the organisation first class and even the weather obliged.”

For a full list of results visit destinationbasingstoke.co.uk/Festival5.