AN ANNUAL charity run in aid of Hampshire's flying medics is to be expanded so more entries can be accepted.

Southampton Airport's annual Runway Run, in aid if the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, will be able to take 1,000 runners this year, up from 700.

The event gets under starter's orders on the airport’s runway at 5.30am on Sunday, June 23.

The annual 5km run usually attracts around 1,000 early rising runners many of whom don fancy dress to greet the midsummer dawn.

Registration on the day will commence at 4.30am with a warm up at 5.15am.

The run must finish by 6.30am so that the runway can be cleared ready for commercial flights of the day to begin.

Daily Echo:

Runners will need to register beforehand and the entry cost is £20 with all proceeds going to the air ambulance.

Neil Garwood, managing director at Southampton Airport, said: “It’s a unique event that attracts competitive and fun runners, and we are excited to increase the number of applications for this year. We hope everyone will have an amazing time and raise vital funds for HIOWAA so that they can continue to operate and save lives.”

Ray Southam, partnerships manager for HIOWAA, said: “We’re always humbled by the amount of people who are prepared to give up their Sunday morning lie-in to support Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

"The Runway Run is an incredibly popular event and has sold out for the last two years, so we’re delighted that Southampton Airport has increased the participant numbers. All the money raised from this unique event will help to ensure our Critical Care Teams are able to reach those who need us in their hour of need.”

A range of prizes and trophies will be given out on the day for the best fancy-dress costume, fastest male, fastest female and for the top fundraiser.

For more information and to register for the Southampton Airport Runway Run visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/southampton-airport-runway-run-2019-tickets-53580710347