HAVING appeared on the East Hampshire running scene in March 2020, Blended Trails will host its first official event, The Hattingley Half, on July 24.

The 13.1 mile undulating trail race is open to all runners, starting and finishing on Medstead village green, where Blended Trails is based.

Founder Ollie Steele-Perkins is no stranger to trail running and competition, and said: “I set up Blended Trails to help people discover local public trails and to encourage them to explore with confidence by marking them up using a segment maker on Strava.

“They became popular not just with runners, but walkers and families as well and they are now a regular feature of the Blended Trails activity, with on average one a month taking place.

“We offered various distances and added sign posts and way-markers for nine days before removing them as a part of our ‘leave no trace’ ethos. ”

Ollie added Medstead Village Green will provide the perfect spot for an event ‘village’ with registration, chip timing pods, event assistance, toilets and local stalls including vegan friendly catering and a bar.

Wave start times will allow a smooth flow of runners rather than a mass gathering.

Ollie continued: “I’m excited to be organising our first official event, bring on the summer and some sun baked trails, oh and a celebratory beer!”

For details see the website www.blendedtrails.co.uk