MORE than 1,200 runners are expected to take to the streets tomorrow for one of the south’s oldest road races which was nearly axed due to red tape.

A question mark hung over Stubbington road race because of health and safety rules and a number of other south coast events have faced similar problems.

Stubbington Green Runners’ race director Gary Littlecott said his club had been put under mounting pressure from the council to revamp the race to comply with new legislation.

He said: “We’ve had to change the route because of increasing traffic problems and concerns for runners’ safety.

“For the past year we have been working extremely closely with Fareham Borough Council and Hampshire police to come up with a new course.”

However the new route does not seem to have put off runners.

The ‘race full’ signs were posted two months ago and organisers received more than 1,600 entries.

It is hoped this year’s Stubbington 10k will top last year’s record field of 1,109 runners.

Gary added: “After months of doom and gloom when we wondered whether there would ever be a Stubbington 10km race, suddenly it’s all systems go. 2009 will be the start of a new era in the race’s history.”

The new starting point is in Titchfield Road near the Crofton Club. Runners will assemble as before in Stubbington Square at 9.45am before being led to the start line for the 10am start.

Titchfield Road from Stubbington through to the A27 will be closed both ways for an hour from 9.30am.

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