DESTINATION Basingstoke has launched entry to the popular running race around the town centre, the Croudace Festival 5.

It is due to take place at 8.30am on Sunday, May 23.

The 5k race is open to runners over the age of 13 and places are limited.

This will be one of the first live race events in the borough after many cancellations and postponements in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Organisers Destination Basingstoke are putting in place many measures to keep everyone safe, including a rolling start to help keep social distance and to minimise overtaking.

The usual race t-shirts are being replaced by a bandana that can be used as a face covering.

The race course is different this year, giving runners a tour of the whole of the town centre, but starting and finishing, as usual, in Festival Square, avoiding the inside of Festival Place.

Russell Denness, group chief executive at Croudace Homes Group, said: “Croudace Homes is delighted that the Festival 5 is back, it has always been a great community event and we are pleased to be able to support Destination Basingstoke’s first live event as we emerge from the pandemic."

Felicity Edwards from Destination Basingstoke added: “We are so pleased at last to be able to plan a real live event and can’t wait to welcome runners back.

"The Festival 5 always has a wonderful atmosphere and, although things have to be different this year, we know the running community are ready to go."

Runners can sign up until May 9 at www.destinationbasingstoke.co.uk/festival-5