WARRINGTON’S annual English Half Marathon event has been postponed due to the organisers being unable to guarantee all the necessary components to deliver a safe and fun race weekend experience.
The event, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, was due to take place this weekend.
A statement from the English Half Marathon organisers said:”Due to us not being able to guarantee all the necessary components to deliver a safe and fun race weekend experience, we are having to postpone this weekend’s races and associated activities to a weekend later in the year.
“For those who have participated in our event in previous years know, we take our obligations very seriously and demand the very best for our runners, volunteers, local partners and our Warrington community.
“This decision is a difficult one for us to take, as we know that you have dedicated yourself to your training and possibly fundraising over a number of months and to hear this message at the beginning of race week will be a blow to many.
“We have to pass on a great deal of thanks and appreciation to our local partners in supporting us over the last couple of weeks and we will be working with them to secure a workable date very soon.
“At this time, we do anticipate that you will have questions and expect updates ASAP. Over the coming days, we will be working to advise you of all the options available to you.
“Please expect a follow up communication by 5pm on Thursday 12th September.
“We truly apologise for this postponement and we hope that we can work together to deliver a safe and fun race weekend in Warrington.
2 Comments
As a former race organiser and runner over many years I can see things from both sides but surely the signs were there well in advance. I used to start planning the Chris Vose 10 km from Victoria Park as soon as the 1,000 runners set off home after the race i.e. 12 months in advance. At the time in the late 1988 to 1992 when I organised the event the police started saying that they were no longer going to support road races. Five years later I designed one for the Friends of Moor Nature Reserve where few if any police where needed, the Half Marathon went off quite well but the AAA’s said that I shouldn’t have started on the Moor side of the canal in case any ships went through and the swing bridge opened – not to worry I’d checked with Peel. The thing that I hadn’t counted on was that the start at 7pm on the longest day of the year which meant that I should have had a 2.5 hour window of light was ruined by the torrential rain and pitch black clouds. It went off okay and safely and a big thanks to the guys and girls of Warrington Road Runners who supported me. But it does go to show that anything can and will happen – it will be interesting to find out what has gone on here. These are experienced organisers who also do other big events.
Con men. Disgraceful. This will be the end of the event. Blatantly lied to runners regarding race numbers being delivered. Pay the runners back you thieves.