Attention all clubs, running groups, business organisations, or friends and families who can muster 10 runners! The 10th Barratt Homes Romsey Relay Marathon is scheduled for Sunday 19 May 2024 at the brilliant Broadlands Estate in the Test Valley, Hampshire.

Barratt Homes are the enduring sponsor of this fun charity event organised by Rotary in Romsey. Barratt Homes Relay Marathon and May Fair 2024 – to give the event its full title – was inspired as part of the London 2012 Olympics Legacy. The Rotary Club of Romsey had planned a simple event for a couple of hundred runners to spend the best part of a Spring Sunday running, jogging, or walking on a track in the beautiful setting of Broadlands Park.

Since 2013 the event has grown from the original 32 teams to an entry of 175 teams in 2019. Last year 168 teams finished in 5:15:57 and the winners were Pitton Plodders in 2:32:20 – one second ahead of the defending champions Romsey Road Runners!

New Forest Mudlarks (pictured above) finished 24th in 3:21:25 with their 'experienced' team of runners who were aged 57-70 at the time. Runners have ranged in age from 8 to 80 years. The event has become a firm fixture in the Romsey calendar with several thousand spectators turning out to support the teams and enjoy the day's activities which include a BBQ, plus free children's activities on-site including face painting and entertainers.

Teams can comprise up to 10 runners who each must complete two laps of the 1.3-mile circuit before handing the baton on to the next competitor. Teams can be smaller than the maximum permitted 10 members but the full marathon distance (20 laps) must be completed and evenly divided between team members.

Lead sponsors Barratt Homes said: "As a local employer with a particular attachment to Romsey we are delighted to once more be the headline sponsor of this fantastic event and will again also be entering teams. The Rotary Clubs’ ethos closely dovetails that of Barratt David Wilson Southampton and so many of our staff have taken the event to our hearts as we can further support our chosen local charities and the company will match fund all the monies raised by our staff."

To secure your team entry visit the Romsey Relay Marathon website here.

Previous results available via runABC South race listing here.

Image courtesy Romsey Relay Marathon on Facebook