THE HENDY Eastleigh 10K will celebrate its 35th anniversary in March, and the entries have already started coming in.

Hendy will be the title sponsor for the event for the fourth consecutive year, and the group is opening new dealerships within sight of the start/finish lines in Eastleigh.

The event, set to be held on March 29, is once again set to attract around 2,300 entries, which makes it the largest 10K in the South.

This years run was set to take place in March this year but was snowed off, so instead of cancelling it, rearranged it to June, with over 2,000 participants.

Hendy's chief executive Paul Hendy said "The opening of the new Honda, Kia and Mazda dealerships at Villeneuve Way complement its Ford operations at Leigh Road and cement Hendy’s commitment to the town.

“We’re thrilled to be back as the title sponsor for an event that attracts so many runners both locally and from further afield including many of our own staff.”

Event organiser Steve Collins described it as an ideal new year challenge for people of all ages and abilities.

“We are overwhelmed with the response from runners for this great annual running event,” he said.

“The continued support from Hendy is fantastic and helps to make this one of the most prestigious 10ks in the country as well as fantastic community event.”

The Eastleigh 10K is renowned as a fast, flat course ideal for both experienced runners and beginners, and is an opportunity to record personal and season-best times.

Each year hundreds of children also enjoy the 2k fun run which takes palace on the same day of the 10k.

This year, for the first time, the event took place at Places Leisure Eastleigh.

This year's race was won by John Beattie in 30mins 31sec.

The race has helped raise more than £100k for local good causes since it started, and over 50,000 runners have participated in the event.