The fire at Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club and the impact on our race, and lessons learned.
Last month (September 2025), our running club (Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club – BMHAC) lost around £18,000 of equipment to a fire caused by arson. Tents, gazebos, signage, flags, finish arch, marquee, stakes/posts, were all lost, plus long jump and high jump equipment. The fire brigade responded to the emergency call as quickly as they could, employing 60 firefighters, but the damage was severe. We lost items that had been gradually acquired over many years by our amazing team of volunteers. This included all the assets used by The Hampshire Hoppit, an annual trail race that attracts over 1000 runners from around the country and beyond.
We lost everything.
This is a story of rising from the depths of despair, towards visualising a way forward, and the vital lessons that can be shared with other clubs in UK.
Our club storage area that was destroyed in the fire had been used for many years. It was a locked ground floor space, similar to a large garage, shared with the Basingstoke Hockey Club. Occasionally, every two or three years, we’d tidy it up and throw away ‘old’ stuff, but it was a useful and practical large storage area for the club.
On Monday morning, 1st September 2025, I spotted a WhatsApp message on the clubs group chat, alerting to a fire and “some damage” at the Hockey Club. Emergency services were still on site, and members of the public were asked to stay away until given the ‘all clear’. By lunchtime, we were allowed access, and I made my first visit to assess the damage.
It was far worse than I had thought. Everything had been destroyed. The only semblance of our club equipment that could be recognised was the metal items that couldn’t be melted in the fire. It was like looking at a shipwreck with only the framework remaining.
Over the next few days, as I started to process the consequences, we were interviewed by the local media outlets and Meridian TV.
The first question everyone always asks of me is “are we covered by insurance?”. And, even now after 5 weeks, the answer is the same: “We think so”. Without going into too many details, the complication is that the storage area is owned by Basingstoke Council, and therefore any insurance claim goes through them. The club appeared to have no formal arrangement for using the council storage area, however we are referencing “Custom and Practice” for over 20 years. This is a legal jargon and you can look online for a definition of “Custom and Practice” – it refers to unwritten workplace arrangements or benefits that, over time, become accepted as a normal, even if not formally written down. “For a practice to become a legally binding implied term, it must be long-standing, consistently applied, well-known to both parties, and viewed as a right rather than a privilege.” It may take a few more weeks until the insurance does (or does not) go through, but this is where we are at, at the time of writing (October 2025).
The uncertainty of the replacement (or not) has inevitably thrown the future of some of our club activities into doubt, and in particular The Hampshire Hoppit. This very successful annual club event reached its 10th year last June. To replace the Hoppit equipment that was destroyed in the fire will require around £14,000. Some have suggested a ‘crowd-funding’ or perhaps adding a voluntary ‘fire damage levy’ of, say, £10, added to each race entry. But while the insurance claim is ongoing, it seems unethical and unfair to also have the begging-bowl. At no time have we considered cancelling the Hampshire Hoppit, especially given the outpouring of support from Hoppit runners and from the running community. We have received hundreds of emails and comments on social media, and it has been humbling and heartwarming.
I have been the Race Director of the Hampshire Hoppit since its first race in 2016. We have seen it grow in entries from 350 to over 1000. It has received seven consecutive Gold awards from Racecheck.com, and we generate significant funds for our nominated charity, Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance. It is a race for runners, delivered by runners (all volunteers!), with over 5,000 social media followers. The Hampshire Hoppit has created its own ethos and approach that we think is strongly ‘pro-runner’, for example we are always generous with the onsite loos because we know that runners hate queueing for loos, and we have a sustainable green eco-friendly culture (no single use plastics), and we offer a multitude of race distances. The Hampshire Hoppit has a race setting that is arguably the most beautiful in the south of England, with our start/finish based on the top of Watership Down, and we have unique access to a safe race route that is both challenging and scenic, using long distance footpaths; the Wayfarers Walk and Hangar Way.
The Hampshire Hoppit is now an established event in the UK racing calendar and it brings significant value and funding that supports our running club. BMHAC is a successful and thriving local running club that has developed athletes to achieve their goals, and even some to represent Team GB on the world stage.
We have now opened the Hampshire Hoppit website for entries for our next race on Sunday 14 June 2026, and despite the race being 8-months away, we already have over 40 registrations. This may not sound much, but it already tracks ahead of previous years, and we can forecast another record-breaking entry come race day.
We’ve been in a dark place for the past few weeks, but the light is now growing, and we can see a way forward. There will be a 2026 Hampshire Hoppit and the BMHAC running club will recover and be stronger than ever.
What the fire disaster has demonstrated is that a volunteer-led organisation is deeply vulnerable to unexpected incidents. Not in our wildest dreams could we have imagined an arson crime that would destroy all our club assets. The implications have been widespread and significant. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is a common refrain in times like these, and as a club we will return bigger and better, despite a few months while we sort out the finances and start the restocking.
As we look back, we can consider the lessons learned that we can share with other sports clubs. A more robust and secure storage area is the obvious improvement, i.e. something that wouldn’t be vulnerable to criminal activity. And we would have benefitted from auditing our insurance cover before the fire, it would have made for a speedier financial recovery and replacement process.
Our disaster could happen to any other volunteer-led club that uses remote storage for their assets. What is the vital lesson that I want to share with other running clubs? Check your storage and insurance now, I would not wish the past few weeks of hassle and worry on anyone.
Unclaimed merchandise (June 2025 race)
If anyone forgot to collect their pre-paid Hoppit merchandise on Sunday, we will be happy to post to you (if you pay the P&P), please email kathy.fowler@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 20 June.
Any merchandise left over after this date will be sold, with the income going to our nominated charity partner Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
Important – Road Diversion
Important! There are road diversion signs in place this weekend that impact a wide area including Kingsclere. However, you can IGNORE the Diversion signs as there is access to the Race HQ as normal. The road closure is in Cole Henley Lane near Whitchurch. Road closure: https://w3w.co/compound.full.presuming
Entry On The Day
There will be Entry On The Day for the Hampshire Hoppit Half Marathon and Marathon. There is no EOD for the 10K.
Half Marathon EOD £60
Marathon EOD £70
Please head to the Registration Tent on arrival, and allow plenty of time please. The Marathon starts at 9am, and the Half Marathon at 10:30am.
Cut-off for online entry
Please note that online entries will close at midday on Friday 13 June. At that point, if there are still spaces available, only Entry On The Day will be possible. We will post on our social media with the latest information.
As of today (11 June) there are 18 half marathon places available, 48 marathon places available. The 10k is full.
Course information – Half Marathon
We have various land-owners that support our event and grant us access on race day. One is Middleton Estate who allow us access across their field at Mile 3 of the Half Marathon, hence avoiding the busy Cole Henley Road.
They have been in touch to advise that they have seeded a section of the field and therefore request that runners keep to the left side of the field (see diagram) on race day.
Our race marshals and signage will help to make this happen.
𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 V𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐐
Since our first race in 2016, we have tried to create a friendly, festival-style atmosphere at Race HQ, and encourage our runners to stay a little longer while they relax, refuel, and enjoy the views from Watership Down.
Here’s who you’ll find at this year’s event:
🥙 Hot Food – Sarum Event Catering
We’re welcoming a new hot food partner for 2025—Sarum Event Catering. Known for their scalable street food service (from intimate gatherings to large festivals), their ethos is rooted in sustainability and low waste.
On race day, they’ll be serving up Bratwurst sausages (including vegan options) with a selection of tasty toppings. Owner Pat Kimber looks forward to meeting our runners.
(See attached menu/prices.)
☕ Coffee – Really Awesome Coffee
Need your caffeine fix? Our new coffee vendor is the team at Really Awesome Coffee—including Jane Ewing, a former Hoppit runner!
Expect barista-made coffee, hot chocolate, frappes, smoothies, iced drinks, cakes, snacks, and all sorts of post-race treats.
💆 Massage – The Body Reset Clinic
Back again for 2025, the team at The Body Reset Clinic will be offering 15-minute pre and post-race massages for £15, just like last year. Led by Vicki Styles, this trusted Hartley Wintney-based clinic will help get your legs race-ready—and recover afterwards.
🛍️ Running Store – Up & Running Basingstoke
Our primary race partner Up & Running Basingstoke will be back with a pop-up store offering race-day essentials.Store Manager Paul Humphreys will be joined by reps from Altra Shoes, with demo trail shoes available to try.
🛒 Runner perks:
- 15% off in any Up & Running store nationwide from 8–18 June 2025, with your bib or entry email
- 20% off Altra shoes at the Basingstoke store during race weekend!
Want to find your nearest store nationwide? Check out https://upandrunning.co.uk/
🍺 Beer Tent – Loddon Brewery
Long-time supporters Loddon Brewery return to the Hoppit Beer Tent! General Manager Shane Willoughby has been with us since 2016, and we’re honoured our race is named after one of his brews.
You can enjoy:
- Hoppit Ale
- Ferrymans Gold
- Citra Quad
- Possibly a guest ale too!
📌 Non-alcoholic options will also be available.
Check out their full range of ales: Loddon Beers
🎶 Music – Farnham Sound & Light
Back on the sound desk is Ollie Moore of Farnham Sound & Light, another brilliant partner since 2016.
He’ll be powering the atmosphere through four remote speakers—and the playlist? That’s personally curated by the Race Director! Expect 10 hours of carefully chosen tunes gathered over the past year.
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Announcing our 2025 race prizes!
- Jeanette’s Engraving has been our originator of Hampshire Hoppit gifts since our first race ten years ago. Her brief since 2016 has been to make our Hoppit prizes unique and valued by the recipient. They must be a worthy reward for their amazing achievement. This year we think thatJeanette has excelled herself! Every winner in each race category (i.e. V40, V50, V60 and 1st 2nd 3rd overall) will receive an engraved Hoppit cheese board with accessories, plus (for the 1st overall winners) an additional six engraved coasters.
- In addition, every race category winner will receive a signed copy of The Run Of Life, by international ultrarunner Steve Till. In the book, Steve pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to transform from a back-of-the-pack runner into a Team GB athlete. Steve is an ever-present club runner and staunch supporter of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club, the organisers of The Hampshire Hoppit.
- And finally, the six 1st placed runners in the 3 races M/F (10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon) will receive a pair of Altra Trail Shoes of their choice, with thanks to our primary sponsor, Up & Running in Basingstoke.
Deadline for race bibs with NAMES printed
We know that our Hoppit runners appreciate having their name sprinted on their running bibs. However, to get that sorted, it requires that the bibs are sent to the printers earlier than normal (3-weeks before race day), therefore the deadline for entering the Hampshire Hoppit *𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝* is 11AM FRIDAY 23 May 2025.
We will still be taking online orders after Friday 23 May, however these bibs will have number only.
There are still spaces available in all three distances (10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon) for our unique race at Watership Down on Sunday 15 June, enter now!
Course diversion (non race day)
A reminder that there is a stretch of Private Land on the Half Marathon course that is available to us on race day only. Please avoid on non-race-days. If you are recce-ing there is a public footpath that runs parallel to the private land, and rejoins the Kingsclere Stables gallops after half a mile, see below.
Our Goody Bag Bags!
We’ve placed our order for the 2025 Goody Bags! Every finisher will receive their finisher goodies in this customised printed bag…
Announcing our prize-winner awards
Every Hoppit 2025 prizewinner will receive a cheeseboard and slate from Wales, engraved with their race category and the Hoppit logo. We are very pleased with these unique designs, and hope that they are a worthy reward for all our fantastic race winners.
A gift from The Hampshire Hoppit and TRIBE!
We’ve teamed up with our nutrition partner TRIBE to give away 100 FREE beanie hats worth £20 on their website. Available in Sky Blue, Olive, or French Navy, these one-size-fits-all super soft hats will keep you toastie during the winter months.
To grab your beanie before they’re gone, you must select a tee, vest, or running cap, from the merchandise store when entering the 2025 race at https://hampshiretrailmarathon.co.uk/ All profits from the store go to our charity partner, the Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance.
All beanies will be posted within 7 days of receiving your order, using UK Royal Mail. There is a postage and admin charge of £3.
We wish you, your friends, and family, a merry Christmas and a joyous New Year, and look forward to gathering again on Sunday 15 June 2025.
- Overseas entrants please email HampshireHoppit@outlook.com for special mail pricing.
- Sadly we only have 100 beanies, therefore when they’re gone they’re gone, and we will remove the option from the merchandise website.
- If you have already entered our 2025 race and would now like to order merchandise (or have already ordered merchandise and would like to participate in the beanie offer), we have you covered! Go to the ‘Enter Now’ screen from the Hoppit website at https://hampshiretrailmarathon.co.uk/, and then scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on My Registration to enter/edit your entry and merchandise details. You will need your race Order Number (found in your confirmation email) and your email address. Those entrants that entered from FindaARace.com will not have an Order Number – instead please email enquiries@sportsystems.co.uk to request a bespoke Order Number.
Any problems, please email us at hampshireHoppit@outlook.com
Our 2025 tee shirt and vest announcement!
We are delighted to announce our new tee shirt designs. With credit to the fantastic creativity of designer Dave Stanley, the Tee and Vest graphics for 2025 have an emphasis on celebrating our 10th year.
Tees and Vests are available in most sizes, including a shaped fit for ladies, and they are manufactured from light technical material that is ideal for running. All profits from the purchase of a Hoppit Tee or Vest go to our charity partner, Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance. Last year, your generosity contributed £2000, and it would be amazing to do even better than that in 2025.
The Tees or Vests can be pre-ordered when entering the Hoppit, at https://hampshiretrailmarathon.co.uk. If you have already entered our race and now want to add merchandise, you can add to your existing entry using the My Registration tab (from the entry page after pressing ‘Enter Now’ from the website).
