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Origins
For many years, until 1998, the management of Hoburne Park hosted The Highcliffe 5. This race started in Lymington Road, heading up the hill to Walkford before returning to the start by the same route.
We believe there had also been a similar 5 mile race prior to this date, possibly known as the Salmon Run, although we don't have much information about this race.
The first Hoburne 5 race was organised in 2003 by local residents; Terry Byrne, Keith Mitchell and Liz Everard supported by Chris Potter with the support of the management at Hoburne Parks, who were keen to show their support in the local community.
The race has been held every year since 2003, the route adapting as housing developments and road traffic conditions have changed.
This team established Hoburne 5 as a popular race and a mainstay of the Running Tree Series, attracting runners from all over the country and of all standards. However, in 2013, Terry, Keith and Liz decided that someone else needed to take on the race in future.
Current Race Christchurch Runners have organised the Hoburne 5 since 2014 and before that provided support for most of the race's history.
Christchurch Runners, established in 1982, is a UK Athletics affiliated, not-for-profit club. We are open to runners of all abilities. We also organise the popular Christmas (Pudding) 10K. Our aim has been to continue the legacy of a race organised by runners, to be a friendly competition that supported ‘grass roots’ runners while channelling any profit to benefit the local community.
> Thus the Hoburne 5 continues to be organised according to rules laid down by a national governing body. This means you can be confident it is accurately measured properly staffed by trained officials and that the latest safety aspects and legal obligations are taken into account despite all race staff being unpaid volunteers.
What happens to the profits?
This is not a commercially organised race, so the race has a modest race entry fee and no money (beyond race costs) is taken by the race organisers, Christchurch Runners, Hoburne Park or any race sponsors.
Course Records The current (since 2017) course records are 27:43 by Karl Welch of Bournemouth AC and 34:40 by Melanie Langer of Poole Runners, both set in 2017.
The Men’s event record 25:26 is held by Steve Way who won this event in 2012.
The Women’s event record 27:24 is held by Andrea Woodvine of Aldershot and Farnham District who won this event in 2009, leaving all the men trailing in her wake. >
Note that the 2003 result is discounted for record purposes after a short course problem.
If you have any further information to add to this article please do get in touch – particularly if you have kept any photographs of the earlier races that you don't mind sharing.