Fernhurst Recreation Ground Trust (FRGT) has confirmed the Blackdown Hill Challenge is returning on Sunday, September 4 as a fundraising event for Pavilion2022.

After a successful return in 2019, the April 2020 event was set to be even bigger – until the first Covid-19 lockdown was announced.

This will be the 30th Blackdown Hill Challenge.

Construction of Pavilion2022 is proceeding but so is the fundraising because of escalating costs in the building trade.

The main part of the build is assured, but there are extras which FRGT is also keen to provide.

In 2019, 88 runners from far and wide were part of the challenge.

Blackdown is the highest hill in the South Downs National Park and the five-mile trail run from Fernhurst Rec to the summit and back involves an elevation change of 657ft.

Blackdown Hill Challenge organiser Mike Boyce said: “We were delighted by the turnout three years ago and just want to get it going again. We want to make the event a regular fixture in the running calendar.

“Along with district runners and villagers in 2019 we also had entries from much further, including one from Canada.”

The minimum age is 16, while the Kids’ Blackdown Challenge is three laps of the Rec for all ages.

Entries are open at blackdownchallenge.eventbrite.com and kidsblackdownchallenge.eventbrite.com – it will be possible to enter on the day.