The BASINGSTOKE half marathon will take a virtual form in 2020, with participants invited to run any course of their choosing.

As the usual half marathon and 10k race is unable to take place due to the Covid-19 crisis, this new version of the race enables runners to tune in online.

Entrants will run 26.2 or 13.1 miles or 10k between October 4 to 18.

The entry fee will be £12 of which £2 will go to St Michael's Hospice, the charity that has supported the race over the last decade.

The race director from Destination Basingstoke, Felicity Edwards, said: “The Covid crisis has brought many challenges, but Destination Basingstoke is looking at the opportunity to stage the event in an innovative way that allows everyone to stay safe, yet retaining the much loved community feel of the usual race. I might even be able to run it myself for the first time this year!

“After the success of the virtual Place to be Proud of Awards, this is just another example of how Destination Basingstoke is agile enough to be able to respond to new challenges and keep on promoting Basingstoke as a place where great things happen through projects we can all get involved with."

Director at Phillips Solicitors, Jack Gardener, said: "I really hope that the Basingstoke community will rally around and get involved to help raise funds for St Michael’s Hospice to allow them to continue to carry out their essential work in our community. I for one will dusting of my trainers and helping raise some funds."

Entry for the virtual race is open from August 1, entrants will then submit their race time to be included in the results.

Enter the race on line at www.basingstokehalfmarathon.com.

Entry for the 2021 Basingstoke Half Marathon and 10k is also already open for October 3 2021.