The organisation behind Basingstoke's 5k race are "excited" that it is able to return to the town this weekend.

The Festival 5 will be staged in the town centre on Sunday morning, after several postponements last year before eventually being forced to go virtual.

The race, officially known as the Croudace Homes Festival 5, will not be without changes however, with there being many alternations to make the race Covid safe.

It will be the first live event in the town centre since lockdown restrictions have eased and will be seen as a marker of life returning to some sort of normality.

Felicity Edwards, managing director of Destination Basingstoke, the organisation running the event, has heralded the event returning and said she was "very excited" to see it back on the calendar.

"We are really pleased to be able to put the event on again," she told The Gazette.

"There was a lot of frustration [last year] and it is fantastic to have the opportunity to put an event on again."

Destination Basingstoke are a not-for-profit organisation which puts on events to promote the town and its businesses.

They are behind other well-known events such as the half marathon, Inspire awards, Place to be Proud of awards and OctoberFest.

They have been holding virtual events during the pandemic, but Felicity says that whilst they have been successful, it's not the same as in-person events.

"It is signalling the start of things getting going again. We are not-for-profit and it has been a tough year.

"We have had to think very carefully about our plans and think about how we do it.

"There has been lots and lots of thought into how we can do everything and minimise the risks. The council are happy for us to go ahead and we are excited, and a big thanks to everyone who has entered."

The course has also had a change this year, with the usual famous scenes of runners going through Festival Place not to repeat themselves.

The course will instead go around the outside of the shopping centre after departing from Festival Square, going up Wote Street, down Church Street, through Glebe Gardens, along Alencon Link, around Basing View, through Eastrop Park and finishing back outisde the restaurants.

There will be no mass start, with two competitors setting off at three second intervals, and there will be hand sanitiser available for runners, who will be asked to wear face coverings on the start line.

"We have gone through the whole runners' journey as to where the risk might be," Felicity continued.

The event is even more important in light of a difficult year for residents to keep fit - lockdown restrictions saw gyms close, events cancelled, and people urged to be cautious when exercising outdoors.

With Parkrun also not returning until the end of June at the earliest, Felicity acknowledges the importance of this evevnt returning.

"The whole pandemic has brought into focus health and wellbeing," she told The Gazette.

"Running has been one of those things people have been able to do. The Festival 5 always attracts a wonderful mix of people from those trying to get a PB to those just starting out.

"If you have been training by yourself and it has been difficult to stay motivated, here is a great chance to measure yourself.

"There will be a great atmosphere, and we can't wait."

The event is starting earlier in the morning to avoid crowds of people going to the shops, and spectators are not encouraged to attend.