Thousands take to streets for annual Eastleigh 10k race

The sun was shining on runners as they completed the six-mile course on Sunday.

Entering its 39th year, the event welcomed 2,850 people – including those dressed as a dinosaur and gingerbread man.

Graham Emery, dressed as the latter, wanted to do something unusual for his milestone birthday.

Graham Emery, centre, at the Eastleigh 10k (Image: Newsquest)

The Woolston resident said: “I'm doing this to mark my 50th.

"I did it ten years ago for my 40th. It's become a tradition now.

"I will be running the London Marathon this year as a gingerbread man too.

"We are hoping to do the 10k in an hour and survive it."

The route took runners from Passfield Avenue, along Shakespeare Road, Twyford Road, and Woodside Avenue, before returning down Passfield Avenue.

It then continued along Derby Road, Desborough Road, and Chestnut Avenue, before finishing at Places Leisure Eastleigh.

Sarah Horton and Keira Mills travelled from Winchester.

Sarah Horton (left) and Keira Mills (Image: Newsquest)

Keira, who is visually impaired, was being guided by her close friend Sarah.

Sarah said: “We are really good friends who met through Winchester Fit Club.

“This is Keira’s first 10k. The race is local to us, and we have a big contingent of Fit Club runners taking part.”

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Keira added: “I am quite nervous, but it will be fun.

“I am either going to love it or I am going to get put off by the fact I am going to get out of breath.”

Several people travelled from further afield to take part in the popular event.

Julia Fullerton also visited from Winchester to run alongside her friend Hannah Field, from Eastleigh.

Hannah Field, left, with Julia Fullerton (Image: Newsquest)

Julia said: “This is my first time doing the Eastleigh 10k and Hannah has inspired me.

“It has always been on my radar to do. I am just going to run it and see what happens.”

Hannah said: “This is my third or fourth time doing this 10k race. It’s part of my training for the London Marathon.”

Lois Kidby travelled from Fareham for the event.

Lois Kidby (Image: Newsquest)

She said: "I have done this 10k for a number of years.

"It's a nice flat course - I'm not a fan of hills.

"I'm going to plod along and enjoy it.”

Organiser Steve Collins said around 2,450 people completed the race - which 'attracts people of all abilities'.

He said: "We had an enormous entry number this year.

"People enjoy coming to Eastleigh as they do every year in their thousands.

"A 10k race is -doable and people have given themselves the challenge of doing it.

"Today there were 2,450 different stories, each as relevant as the rest."