THE Royal School has decided to become the major sponsor of The Punch Bowl Challenges next month.

The running event, on Sunday, October 2, features five running races from the gruelling Punch Bowl 10k for seniors through lesser distances for juniors to a 60m dash for under sixes.

The runs are promoted and organised jointly by The Black Down and Hindhead Supporters of the National Trust and the Haslemere Borders Athletic Club.

Other sponsors include Tindle Newspapers, Keats Estate Agents, Alton Sports, and The Punch Bowl Hotel, most of whom have supported the event since its inception in 2013.

Black Down and Hindhead Supporters group chairman Nigel Quick said: “We are enormously grateful to all our sponsors who ensure we are able to invest in athletics coaching and the heathland encircling Haslemere to the benefit of walkers, runners and riders.”