THE SUN shone for this year’s Butser Hill Challenge on Sunday which started with the Year 3 challenge.

Next up were the other junior challenges, and the event finished with the seniors’ and veterans’ men’s and ladies’ race, which had more than 150 finishers.

Race director Alan Shons said: “There was a good turnout and the numbers were up in the junior section on last year.

“Numbers were down slightly in the senior section, but I think that was because the Solent Half Marathon was on the same day.”

One change to this year’s event was the introduction of the Year 3 challenge race.

“I was very pleased that we had the new Year 3 challenge this year,” said Alan.

“I have had plenty of e-mails over the years asking if children who weren’t yet in Year 4 could enter the race.

“Another change this year was that 16-year-olds could enter the senior race. So some of the Year 12s entered the senior race instead this year.”

Alan also thanked everybody who helped with the running of the event.

He said: “We had many volunteers who gave up their time to help us on the day.

“It was a really great day and I’d like to thank all of the volunteers. I’d also like to thank Churcher’s College, MacDonald Oates solicitors and Fuller’s brewery for their support.”

This year’s event raised money for local charity The Rosemary Foundation.

Alan said: “We don’t have the final total yet but we should have raised several thousand for The Rosemary Foundation.

“We are going to keep The Rosemary Foundation next year and raise money for them again as they are an excellent organisation and we want to give them another chance to raise money.

“Hopefully, all the sponsorship money will be handed in soon so we can then present it all to The Rosemary Foundation.”

Alan has begun to think about next year’s event, which might be on a different weekend.

“We might move next year’s event back a week so it doesn’t clash with the Solent Half Marathon,” said Alan.

“We might also start the first race at 9.45am instead of 10am to give us a bit more time on the day.”

Full results and lots of pictures in this week’s Post