IT HAS been described as the event the entire Romsey community looks forward to.

Now it is set to return.

The Romsey Relay Marathon will be at Broadlands Estate on May 12 in a bid to raise vital cash for local charities.

Organisers said they were aiming for 150 teams to take part in the initiative which has raised more than £170,000 for good causes since its inception back in 2013.

The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Romsey.

Club member and event organiser Charlie Daniel-Hobbs said: “It is a relay marathon. Runners can complete 2.6 miles and than hand the baton on to their teammate so the team will collectively complete the marathon.”

Mr Daniel-Hobbs said this year’s event will be bigger and better, with more entertainment for children including a magician, face painting and a clown, as well as a barbecue supplied by the local Scouts.

“We are delighted that it is coming back and we expect it to continue to grow. Last year we raised £120,000 and we are now aiming to raise more than that,” he added.

Each team will decide which charity to support, and local charities will also have stalls at the event.

The initiative will start at 10am and will run throughout the day.

This year’s Relay Marathon will be supported by 15 local businesses including Barratt Homes, The White Horse Hotel, Ace Liftaway, Williams Shipping, Hildon Water, Bradbeers and Hampshire Homes Group.

Entry is now open and each team can have up to ten runners.

To take part visit www.romseymarathon.co.uk/2019-registration.

The first Romsey Relay Marathon was organised in 2013 as part of the Olympic Legacy, after a member of the Rotary Club of Romsey saw a similar event in Bahrain and decided to bring the idea to Romsey.