HUNDREDS of athletes will get running up that hill this weekend as one of the county’s most popular – and toughest – challenges will take place at a beauty spot near Petersfield.

This year’s Butser Hill Challenge is a big one as the event on Sunday will be the 40th to take place at the highest point on the South Downs.

Founded in 1978 as one of the first major mass runs, the event pre-dates the first London Marathon and appeared on the sporting calendar long before the Great South and North Runs.

It’s also been a big winner for charity as it’s raised in excess of £200,000 for numerous good causes over the last four decades, with high four-figure sums being generated for Home-Start Butser and The Rosemary Foundation among others in recent years.

Last year’s event raised in excess of £5,000 for FitzRoy while proceeds from this year’s run will also go to the Petersfield charity, which supports people with learning disabilities.

The challenge is a big draw for athletes of all ages with ten races altogether, ranging from a 1km route for school Year 3 pupils to a gruelling five-mile fell run for seniors and veterans.

The grass course is hardly a walk in the Queen Elizabeth Country Park with three steep ascents and descents of the 888ft hill.

The course provides “a challenge even for the serious fell runner” although they are rewarded with stunning views across the Hampshire and South Downs landscape at the summit.

There’s also a 2km run for school Years 6 and 7 and 3km routes for Years 8 to 11 to test the fitness and stamina of young athletes.

The five school races will start at various times between 9.50am and 11.35am while the starting pistol will be fired for the five-mile fell run at 12.30pm. The Year 3 to 7 races will take place on the lower slopes of the hill, while Years 8 and above will complete one ascent of the hill in their 3km event.

“The atmosphere is fun and friendly, attracting a wide range of runners of all abilities,” said a spokesperson for organisers, Run Events Ltd.

“The senior event of five miles attracts runners of all abilities and last year’s eldest runner was 80.”

Churcher’s College has continued its long-running support for the event while this year’s sponsors include Fullers and Petersfield solicitors MacDonald Oates LLP.

“The generous assistance given by these sponsors plus the efforts of the runners will raise money for this year’s chosen charity,” added the Run Events Ltd spokesman.

It’s not too late for East Hampshire athletes to enter this year’s race as runners can register for £16 (£14 UK Athletics members) at www.eventrac.co.uk.

For more details call 07976 426247 or e-mail: [email protected]