THE 19th running of the popular B&Q Eastleigh 10km Road Race has got the green light for next year - albeit with a new-look route.

Following the 2002 event, there were urgent discussions about the safety of an increasingly busy course used for the past 18 years. Major changes have been made to reduce risks to runners and car drivers.

The second half of the course will totally avoid the Swan Centre, Eastleigh Station and the Leigh Road Precinct and finish along the 700-metre cycle track on Fleming Park, which runs adjacent to the perimeter to the golf course.

Next year's race will not form part of the Hampshire Road Race League, but the promoters are still confident that the race will be just as popular as in the past six years.

Official race forms will be available from the Leisure Services Department of Eastleigh Borough Council from the end of November, as well as local sports centres and at most of the area's other road races in December and January.