THOUSANDS of people are set to races up their running shoes as a Hampshire half marathon returns this weekend.

The Winchester Half Marathon is back for a second year, with around 2,000 people expected to pound the pavements of the city.

Last year, the inaugural event marked the first time that a half marathon had been held in Winchester for more than 30 years.

Southampton-based charity the Countess Mountbatten Hospice is set to benefit from the race too after it was unveiled as the lead local charity.

Lorraine Pink, head of income generation and business management at Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity, added: "Countess Mountbatten Hospice supports over 3,000 patients and their families living with life-limiting illnesses across south-central Hampshire every year. The support we receive from Winchester Half Marathon runners and our community is vital in helping us continue to provide care and support."

Last year the event was marred in controversy after furious villagers in Hursley claimed that organisers had not given them any warning beforehand, resulting in people being unable to get out of their homes and businesses having to close early.

Hursley Parish Council chairwoman Eleanor Bell, who was critical of the event last year, said a great deal of work had gone on between the parish council and race organiser ReesLesuire to make improvements over the past year, and hoped this year's event would be a success.

This year's route will see runners start outside the Guildhall before for heading through the countryside past landmarks including St Catherine’s Hill, Winchester Cathedral and the King Alfred the Great statue, and back to the Guildhall.