A BASINGSTOKE athlete-turned-coach has been honoured for training and supporting Basingstoke Half Marathon aspirants for the past eight years.

Nikki Hewett, who herself has participated in 40 marathons in the past nine years, has been helping half marathon participants by training them on the actual course of run.

The Lychpit resident has now been honoured by Destination Basingstoke, the organisers of Basingstoke Half Marathon.

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Nikki said she has a Facebook group through which she reaches out to people who want to train.

“I take a group of runners on Thursday evenings and help them practice on the actual Basingstoke Half Marathon course,” Nikki said.

“I help them to train because it's a very hilly course. We start off with really low miles. And then each week we build it up. It helps everybody get ready for the half marathon in October.”

Basingstoke Gazette: The training sessions are usually held on Thursday eveningsThe training sessions are usually held on Thursday evenings (Image: Newsquest)

Nikki said she got into training marathon runners as she was coaching for Chineham Park Running Club previously.

She holds her free training course from June until the end of September, just before the day of Basingstoke Half Marathon.

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This year’s half marathon will be held on Sunday, October 2, on the same day of London Marathon.

While her students are running in Basingstoke, Nikki is aiming to complete the London Marathon under three and half hours.

Basingstoke Gazette: Nikki with the souvenir she received from Basingstoke Half MarathonNikki with the souvenir she received from Basingstoke Half Marathon (Image: Newsquest)

A finance manager at Vectair Systems, Nikki has also got into the famous Boston Marathon next April.

“Not many people get into the Boston Marathon, so I’m so excited,” said Nikki, who has booked her tickets already.