Stubbington Green Runners

THE future of the Stubbington 10km road race looks a little brighter.

This showpiece event in the Stubbington Green Runners’ calendar had been in some doubt after police and council voiced concerns over the traditional route of the January event.

Various changes in legislation, as well as the heightening up of health and safety issues, had prompted the local authorities to express their worries.

They were not impressed with the route which for years had taken runners from Stubbington through Lee-on-the-Solent, around the back of Rowner and across the Newgate Lane roundabout back to Stubbington.

They asked race director, Gary Littlecott, to go away and think again about the race route.

Gary explained: “With thoughts and expectations at a real low point in this race’s 23-year history, my thoughts were that it was the end for the Stubbington 10k.

“We had two good proposals for new safer routes: 

“Firstly to start the race somewhere along Titchfield road, then into Titchfield itself, turn left into Posbrook Lane and down to the Meon Shore, finishing the race in Stubbington village centre via Crofton Lane/Bells Lane.

“The second route was an out and back course from Stubbington to Browndown Barracks. Both courses were 10km.” After four months waiting to get a meeting, Gary finally caught up with officials from Hampshire Police and Fareham Borough Council last month.

He added: “Both the council and the police liked the first proposed course in theory as the safer option and have agreed it in principle.

“The route would be able to operate with no police on the day.

“The new route would involve a road closure along Posbrook Lane and also a road closure on Stubbington Lane both north and sound bound.

“The next step involves the police highways safety officer looking at the course and giving it the thumbs up (hopefully).

“We are a long way from having a race at this moment in time, but I will endeavour to put this race on in the given time left.

“It’s not going to be easy and we will need the whole club to support and help this race happen. We will need many more marshals and more helpers than 2008. 

“The race in 2009 will be a lot more technically challenging to stage and will require more personnel to manage race day than 2008, but knowing that our club are a very resourceful bunch, this hopefully will not be a problem, so please do pledge your support early.

“January 2009 will be a big turning point for our 10k. It may even be the last one, who knows?

“There is still a million miles to go before we can put the Stubb 10k 2009 on the start line.

“I hope to bring you better, brighter, clearer news next month. I will keep you all updated from now, on the organisational progress and problems.