CHARITIES are being offered free and discount places for the Basingstoke Half Marathon and 10k to give them an opportunity to boost their finances.

The Phillips Law Basingstoke Half Marathon and 10k will take place on Sunday, October 1, and now in its 12th year, it has become a popular race with entrants who want to take on a challenging, picturesque and rewarding course.

As well as being a great experience when it comes to enhancing people’s physical and mental wellbeing, the half marathon and 10k have a track record of delivering great results for local charities as more than £220,000 has been raised for good causes over the years.

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This year, the Destination Basingstoke-organised event is running its biggest-ever offer to help and support local good causes.

Jonathan Pender, chair of Destination Basingstoke, said: “Destination Basingstoke – the not-for-profit company that showcases and celebrates the wonderful people, businesses and community organisations in Basingstoke and Deane through events and other activities ­– is proud to support local charities through the half marathon and 10k.

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“This year, we are offering charities three free places, worth £135, and a 25 per cent discount on a further seven places if they can put a team of 10 into the event. The runners can be split between the two races, and we hope this will encourage people to take part and raise funds for local good causes.”

Half marathon and 10k supporter Phillips Law is the headline sponsor again and it is joined on the sponsorship podium by other event sponsors Nomios UK & I, Lilly UK, TD Synnex and Lavazza. All of these companies are entering teams.

The half marathon and 10K are also being supported by Up and Running, in London Street, and this year’s race director is running legend Mike Gratton, winner of the London Marathon in 1983 and a renowned organiser of distance running events.