Festive Blow-out
THE festive season is rolling in fast, and if you're looking for some exercise in between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, then there are three races to mark your card with.
If you're looking to get out of the mother-in-law's hair on Boxing Day, then why not have a think about the Round the Lakes 10km race in Poole? It's about an hour's drive from Whiteley.
This takes place in Poole Park at 11am on Wednesday, December 26th. The race consists of four laps of the main lake and one of the cricket pitch. Organised by Poole Athletic Club, this is a popular event which does take entries on the day, though last year a number of runners weren't able to run when the race hit its 400 capacity. Entries in advance are £6.50 and on the day they are £8. For more details log onto: www.pooleac.co.uk
The following day, expect a veritable feast of Stubbies to have invaded the Ship & Bell pub in Horndean for the Pub to Pub race.
This takes place at 11am on Thursday, December 27th, and consists of a seven-mile race along country lanes from the Ship & Bell to the Red Lion pub at Chalton and back. Organised by Portsmouth Joggers, the post Christmas blow-out raises money for the New Portsmouth Hospitals' Rocky Appeal and last year the princely sum of £1,600 was raised.
This year, the money is in aid of a £3 million state-of-the-art Digital Keyhole Operating Theatre at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
There is also a 3.5-mile walk, and the race features a number of categories including a pair event.
To enter, log onto the Portsmouth Joggers' website to download an entry form at: www.pjc.org.uk The cost in advance is £6 or £8 on the day, with a £6 fee for walkers. There are entries on the day by 10am and the cut-off for advance entries is December 22nd.
The final racing weekend of the year sees a 10km race at Somerley House near Ringwood. This is a two-lap race on Sunday, December 30th on tracks around the grounds of the Somerley Estate in aid of the Wessex Autistic Society. Last year there were 750 runners. It pays to get there early too, but there are medals, drinks and chocolate for all finishers.
The Somerley 10k starts at 11am with entries on the day at £8 and in advance at £7, with the cut-off date Monday, December 17th. For details of this race log onto: www.twas.org.uk/page.php?ref=9-fundraising-events-diary