Lace up your shoes – two 10 kilometre races are being held in Kew Gardens next month.

The team behind Richmond RUNFEST were forced to postpone their half and full marathons to next April.

But they have persevered and planned two 10k events inside the beautiful Kew Gardens across the September 12-13 weekend, subject to final approval.

Organisers promised "free entry into Kew Gardens after the event for friends and family". Every entrant can bring two people in to enjoy the gardens after the race.

The runs have been billed as "London's flattest socially distanced 10k".

Richmond RUNFEST has also announced an online marketplace provider as their new Event Title Partner.

findarace.com is the UK's most popular marketplace for mass participation events, helping millions of people every year discover and book races.

'We are really excited'

Race director Tom Bedford said: "Our team have hired expert data analysts and moved mountains to plan the event in a socially distanced way.

"Covid-19 has not disappeared so we have been working hard with all of our stakeholders, medical team and British Athletics to create a fun, safe event and we are really excited to still be planning this year's event.

"The 2020 event is going to be very different to previous years but we look forward to putting on a safe event for our runners, volunteers, staff, contractors and the local community.

"We are also pleased to welcome Find A Race to the event as they provide a gateway to thousands of inspiring, memorable and brilliantly sweaty experiences."

Find A Race co-founder Jacob Hibberd said: "The partnership will help the event to reach many of the new beginner runners who have taken up the sport.

"It's the perfect way to celebrate the return of racing in a safe and considered environment."

He added: "It's clearly a challenging time to put on an event.

"But Tom and the team at Richmond RUNFEST have so much experience successfully staging large events. We've seen that first hand with all the planning gone it to making the 10k safe and fun."

Visit the Richmond RUNFEST website to sign up to the Kew Gardens 10k.

It costs £40 for a non-club runner and £38 if you are affiliated with a running club.

Alternatively, you can sign up with Surrey-based charity the Princess Alice Hospice for half the price.

Runners are being asked to raise £250 which will benefit the charity which provides compassionate end-of-life care at a hospice in Esher.

To register your interest please email [email protected] or call 01372 461808.