ORGANISERS of one of the biggest events in the Eastleigh sporting calendar have been forced to set a new date after it was scrapped at the weekend.

They have set a new date of Sunday June 17 for the reorganised Eastleigh 10k race.

It comes after they had to postpone the event due to held on Sunday because of the freezing weather.

Thousands of runners were set to take to the streets in one of the biggest running events across the county.

Organisers say they will support Eastleigh Borough Council when it decides to set a new date - but no back-up date is currently in place.

A spokesperson for Eastleigh Borough Council said it couldn't guarantee the safety of runners with a windchill of -7 degrees set to arrive.

A post from the Hendy Eastleigh 10k said: "We have taken the advice from the relevant local agencies and combined with the advice from the Met Office of the unseasonally extreme weather forecast, we have reluctantly had to postpone the Hendy Eastleigh 10k."

The council said it wanted runners to enjoy the race rather than endure it, and they would sit down early next week to decide upon a new date.

They added that every entry form and numbers will still work for the rescheduled event.

Last year the event was full with 2,800 runners pounding the streets of Eastleigh, with a further 280 youngsters aged from four to 12 years old taking part in a 2k children’s race on the same day.

Now in its 34th year Eastleigh 10k is renowned as a fast, flat course ideal for experienced runners and beginners and is an opportunity to record personal and season best times.

It was due to start from the new sports centre in Fleming Park taking runners from Passfield Avenue, through Woodside Abvenue, Shakespear Road, Twyford Road and Woodside Avenue.

They were then due to go along Passfield Avenue, Derby Road, Desborough Road and Chestnut Avenue, finishing at Place Leisure.

Snow hits Eastleigh - picture special on pages six and seven