Hendy Ford has fired the starting pistol on preparations for the Eastleigh 10k road race by signing up as headline sponsor for the 2017 event.

Committing to the group’s support of the race for a second year in a row, Hendy Group chief executive Paul Hendy said he was “thrilled” to continue the group’s involvement with one of the largest road races in the country.

He added: “The event starts and finishes within sight of our FordStore in Eastleigh and fits perfectly with our plans to play a key role in the community in which we work.

“It will attract around 2,800 runners and we thoroughly enjoyed working with the organising team and meeting many of the runners this year.”

The Hendy Ford Eastleigh 10k celebrates its 33rd anniversary in March 2017 with the event scheduled to take place on Sunday March 19th.

Race organiser Steve Collins said it was great to welcome Hendy Ford back to the event for 2017.

He said: “The race has built up a good reputation for local runners and those who compete from further afield and we are delighted that Hendy Ford will once again be headline sponsor and that one of its cars will lead the runners again next March.”