A popular half-marathon is set to return after more than a year of uncertainty which left indoor and outdoor events cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic.

The annual Hell-Fire Half and 10k races, previously known as Wycombe Half Marathon and 10k, will be held on Sunday, July 18, at 9.30am.

Starting and finishing at Adams Park, home of Wycombe Wanderers FC, the half marathon route will take participants out towards West Wycombe before turning through the gates of the West Wycombe Park and through the National Trust grounds past the majestic house.

From there runners will head, via roads and woodland tracks, to Wheeler End and Bolter End, enjoying the quiet, twisting, country lanes to Frieth, before turning towards Lane End and heading back towards West Wycombe.

Runners will enjoy breathtaking views over the Chiltern Hills, looking out towards the Golden Ball and Mausoleum before heading through West Wycombe Park and back to Adams Park for a stadium finish.

The 10k route will follow the same course, turning before Wheeler End and experiencing the hilltop views much sooner, before plunging down to the stately home and back to Adams Park.

The event, organised by the Handy Cross Runners, will once again raise money for Rennie Grove Hospice Care.

Simon Adams, chairman of Handy Cross Runners said: “2020 was an incredibly hard year for so many people.

“For many in the running community, being able to get out for a run once a day was literally life-saving in respect to their physical and mental health.

“For that reason, we are so happy to be able to organise the Hell-Fire Half and 10k races which provides a great goal for runners as we begin to slowly open up again to organised sport and races.

“Handy Cross Runners is extremely proud to be organising a COVID-secure race which will allow all runners to be part of something that allows them to explore the beautiful countryside in the Chiltern Hills.

“We are also grateful to be able to raise money once again for Rennie Grove Hospice Care who provide specialist care and support for adults and children with a life-limiting illness in Bucks.”

He added: “As it has been such a difficult year for runners with races being deferred or postponed we want to give entrants peace of mind that, should Covid restrictions mean the race cannot go ahead, we will offer a money back guarantee, less the admin cost, for all entries.”

Race entry details and route maps can be found at www.handycrossrunners.co.uk.