ONE of Hampshire’s most popular running events returns tomorrow, and it is set to be one of the coldest ever.

Thousands of runners will lace up their running shoes to take part in the Eastleigh 10K.

But this year they are also getting ready to welcome an unusual guest: potential snow.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for snow for the county this weekend.

Snow is now forecast to fall from 11pm tonight until 9am on Sunday, and temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.

But organisers of the largest 10K race in the south of England said they will keep a close eye on the conditions.

This year the event is set to be the biggest ever, with 2,900 runners taking part.

Now in its 34th year, Eastleigh 10K is renowned as a fast, flat course ideal for both experienced runners and beginners and is an opportunity to record personal and season-best times.

Sponsored by Hendy, the event will be based at Places Leisure Eastleigh and will also feature a 2K children’s fun run for those aged between four and 12.

More than 400 local children are expected to take part in the two race; the nine to 12-year-olds at 11.10am and the five to eight-year-olds at 11.30am.

Race director Steve Collins said: “It’s a great race day for the town.

“The race is as popular as ever and we were thrilled that due to unprecedented demand we sold out in January.

“Many local people are running and it’s great that residents come out and support the runners.”

This year participants will run from Passfield Avenue through Woodside Avenue, Shakespeare Road, Twyford Road and Woodside Avenue before going back along Passfield Avenue, Derby Road, Desborough Road and Chestnut Avenue and will be finishing at Place Leisure Eastleigh.

The main race will start at 9am. Organisers said there will be some disruption to traffic, with Passfield Avenue closed to traffic from around 8.40am to 10.15 am.

Roads will be reopened as the last runners pass.