New charity 5k run around River Hamble Country Park

Louise Whitemore, the 37-year-old Eastleigh owner of two hairdressing salons, is organising the Seize the Power charity 5k and kids fun run on Sunday March 16 and is encouraging people to sign up to run, jog or walk around River Hamble Country Park. 

The event will help Louise towards her goal of raising the $10,000 required to complete the Boston Marathon in April in aid of 261 Fearless, a global non-profit organisation using running as a vehicle to empower and unite women. 

(Image: Family collection) READ MORE: The top music acts announced for Wickham Festival 2025

That is the final one of the six major marathons with London, New York, Tokyo, Berlin and Chicago already ticked off, raising more than £14,000 so far for charities including Ronald McDonald House Charities and Rethink Mental Illness. 

Louise told the Daily Echo: "I'm hoping it will encourage people to love running. I love running and I want other people to love running. It all started with a 5K for me, so I hope people will join me however they want to move around what is a beautiful course.

"It's not been an easy feat at all and, at times, you have to prioritise the marathon training over everything else and with nine and six-year-olds and two shops, that's tough. But the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.

I hope people will join me in getting out and doing something and seizing their power. Any age, any ability, just join in, and the cafe will be open for cake afterwards!"

Louise started her running journey with Cancer Research UK's Race for Life on Southampton Common in 2013. She loved it so much she signed up for the New York Marathon the following year. 

After having her two children, she started up marathon running again in 2021 and is ready to complete the world marathon majors. 

If the 5k is a success, she's hoping to make it an annual event for local charities. 

Sign up at racesignup.co.uk/seize-the-power-5k