EARLY entries for the B&Q Eastleigh 10K have highlighted the growing trend of leisure and fitness clubs boosting local road races.

With the entry list for the March 17 event now topping the 350-mark, over 50 of those come from leisure clubs who have been generating fresh interest in running through their general fitness regime.

Race organiser Malcolm Price pointed out: "Groups of joggers from Tone Zone (Bognor Regis), Fitness First and David Lloyd Centres have been entering races of all distances around the Solent region and have also been staging their own races - in particular over 5K."

With a limit of 1,200 entries, it is once again likely that the Eastleigh race will be full by the official closing date of March 6.

One former winner who will definitely be missing is Andy Morgan-Lee, the current form man around the roads of Southampton. He will be warm-weather training in Portugal and will be unable to repeat his 1996 triumph or his 1999 runners-up spot.

The Eastleigh 10K race is now heading for its 19th outing and over those years it has raised in excess of £35,000 for the charities supported by the Mayor of Eastleigh. Price is confident that a further £2,000 will be added to that total this year.

A youngsters' 2K Fun Run will be held before the adults' race with an entry limit of 800 for the under-12s. Forms for both events can be obtained from Eastleigh Borough Council Leisure Services or Fleming Park Leisure Centre.