Runners have been left gutted after Stirling Marathon has been cancelled for a third year in a row.
With less than two months to go until the weekend of running action, and runners’ training programmes well underway, the organisers last week took the decision to axe the event.
Classic Run Events wrote to runners on Friday morning explaining the decision, saying that the decision was taken “with great disappointment”.
The event had been due to take place in the city on Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15.
In the statement emailed to runners, Classic Run Events said: “The number of entries generated for the events has been severely reduced by the global pandemic, with the events being postponed in both 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions.
“The reduced number of entries has had a detrimental effect on the viability of the events and the resources available to deliver a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
“The organisers are committed to providing a full refund for all entrants.”
Race director Luke Traynor added: “ I know all runners and charities entered for the event will be as disappointed as I am about this decision, and for that we apologise but above everything else the safety and welfare of our runners is paramount. We hope your training and fundraising events will not go to waste as there are several other well-established marathons and half marathons in Scotland to sign up to in 2022.”
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The Observer contacted Classic Run Events for further comment on the situation, but they had not responded at the time of print.
Stirling Olympian Kieron Achara had initially been set to run and was also an ambassador for the event.
The basketball star told the Observer: “I was already disappointed with the rescheduling as I could no longer run on May 15 due to work but I feel for all the people who have been training so hard for so long. I just hope that it isn’t the end of a Stirling Marathon.”
Runners who had been working hard in preparation for the big weekend have expressed their disappointment. Rev Barry Hughes, minister at St Mark’s Parish Church in Raploch, had been due to run the race for the second time. He was set to take on the full marathon to raise funds to facilitate his trip to next year’s World Scout Jamboree in South Korea, representing Scouts Scotland.
Mr Hughes said: “It’s very disappointing for me and the many runners who had been training – in many cases, our first race since lockdown. As recently as last week the website was still inviting entrants to the races so the lack of communication to runners was not ideal.
“Many charities may well suffer as well. I hope that a Stirling Marathon can be reinstated at some point, since the route was beautiful and it has the potential to be one of Scotland’s best.”
One club runner who had been due to arrive in the city and take to the streets in the half marathon said: “The initial reaction to this cancellation in the running community is one of real disappointment and annoyance. The short time between now and the planned races will hamper the training of many, many marathon runners and although I was due to run in the half-marathon, I know how difficult it can be for those training through the winter to be in their best shape for April or May.
“More and more we are seeing races putting profit before people but the whole community in Stirling is sure to feel the pinch of these cancellations, many runners would be due to stay in hotels, enjoy post-race festivities within the city and the businesses will miss out on this for a third year.
“It’s difficult to see the events making a strong comeback anytime soon, especially as rumours were going around for 48 hours before the official confirmation was confirmed, I just hope all of those who had entered are refunded quickly as the organisers have said.”
The 2020 edition of the race, scheduled for May that year, was delayed until October 2020. Due to the pandemic the race was then shifted once again until May 2021, but Covid uncertainties struck once again and forced the organisers to move it to October.
In July last year, we told how he organisers had taken the decision to then postpone the October race until May 15.
