Mad March 20, 5th March 2006
DON'T be a Mad March Hare and miss out on the Spring-like 20-miler.
For the second year running, the race on Sunday, March 5th, forms part of the Hampshire Road Race League.
Based in Christchurch, race organisers, the Christchurch Runners have said that the race is half full - with just 200 places left to fill.
With a tight race entry of 450, last year it meant a number of Stubbington runners missing out on the event which is a popular one for many in the build-up to the London Marathon.
In previous years, the Hampshire Road Race League has used February's Bramley 20 miler near Basingstoke as a league race. Equally popular, and with a 10-mile race running alongside, the Bramley 20/10 has a maximum entry of 1500 giving league runners a better chance of getting into the race.
This year's Mad March starts and finishes at Martins Hill Lane, Burton in Christchurch. The affiliated entry fee is £6 and to obtain an entry form, log onto the Hampshire Road Race League site at http://www.hrrl.org.uk/
So if you want to race this year, then get in quick.
Another popular Hampshire Road Race League event is the Eastleigh based B&Q 10km on March 19th, which has a 1,350 entry limit.
Malcolm Price from organisers Southampton Running Club has been in touch.
He writes: "The Eastleigh 10K is another local race that fills very quickly and despite being able to accept 1350 entries, these are likely to be allocated by mid February, with 300 already registered before Christmas.
"For the third successive year entries can be made on line through the Runners World Web Site www.runnersworld.co.uk, but the vast majority of entries are still supplied through the traditional paper entry form which can be found at all local road races, leisure centres and the PR & Marketing Dept of Eastleigh Borough Council.
"This year's Eastleigh race forms the 7th Round in the Hampshire Road Race League as well as providing the venue for the Inter Counties Championships orgainsied on behalf of UK Athletics. This will draw competitors from all points around the UK.
"Details about this event plus a London Marathon runner help and advice line are available though the organising club's web site www.southamptonrc.org.uk"