ORGANISERS of the New Forest Marathon are “so excited” for the annual run to return to its home in Brockenhurst after two years of being held in Dorset.

The popular running event, now in its 38th year, had to relocate in 2020 and 2021 to St Giles House in Wimborne after Forestry England issued a blanket ban on events being held in forests due to the pandemic.

2022’s edition will return to the familiar location of New Park Showground in the heart of the New Forest National Park on September 11, 2022.

ORA events director Chris Farr said: “The lifting of government restrictions and Forestry England allowing applications for events to resume has meant we're able to work with the various landowners and partners to bring the event back to its home in the New Forest.

“We'd like to thank all those that have supported the event over the last two years including sponsors, partners, suppliers, land owners, runners, volunteers and of course Lord Shaftesbury at St Giles for stepping in to help, all pulling together to ensure we could keep the event alive and eventually return to the forest.”

Fellow events director Andy Daish added: “It's been such a challenging few years for everyone across all parts of society and it's time to bring some positivity back to everyone's lives.

“We're so excited to stage the event at New Park once again, it's a wonderful venue and enables us to support the fantastic community groups who make it possible once again. When you see what the event means to so many people, runners, charities, spectators and the local community you start to understand what a huge gap it has left over the last two years.”

The award-winning event offers seven events including full and half marathons. Also on offer is food and drink traders, sport retailers, live music, a physio treatment area, kids activities, camping and more.

Social media followers raced to the comments to praise the news. One person commented: “Did the half a couple of years ago and loved it and just signed up for the marathon.

“The beautiful scenery and wonderfully enthusiastic martials got me through the half so I figured if there's any marathon I can do, it’s this one.”

Entries are officially open with early bird discounts running through to midnight Sunday November 14, 2021.

Visit newforestmarathon.co.uk for more information.