Disgruntled runners who had been set to take part in the Stirling Marathon have hit out over a lack of communication from the organisers as they await refunds for the cancelled race.
We told on Wednesday how runners who had been preparing for May’s event for months were left gutted after organising firm, Classic Run Events, pulled the plug with less than two months to go.
In an email to runners informing them of the cancellation, 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.”
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Frustrated runners this week contacted the Observer to voice their concerns over the lack of information over the refunds.
Sarah Baillie fom Tillicoultry, said: “A lot of runners who were very much looking forward to the much anticipated Stirling Marathon are getting very cross online about the lack of information from Classic Run Events who were meant to host the marathon this year.
“They have sent an email that they would issue refunds but they aren’t answering anyone’s emails and are constantly deleting everyone’s comments on Facebook.
“There’s been no word of when or if we will get a refund.
“It was £60 each and many people had raised funds for charity.
“They’ve made Stirling look really bad.
“We’ve not had any information or communication from them about how or when and they keep ignoring people’s requests for information.”
Fellow runner Russell Whittington said: “I emailed them for a refund when their cancellation email came in on March 25 and sent them a follow up email this morning (Wednesday, March 30).
“I posted on their Facebook page to query when the refunds were getting processed.”
On the Stirling Scottish Marathon Facebook page, the organisers had not posted any information about the cancellation of refunds process at the time of print.
The Observer contacted Classic Run Events for further comment on the situation and to request a timeline for the refunding of race entry fees but had not had a response at the time of print.
The event was previously organised by organising firm The Great Run Company.
Following the 2019 race, the firm abandoned any plans for future events.
In October 2019, we told how the popular marathon had been thrown a lifeline after it was announced that the race was to go ahead in 2020 under the Classic Run Events banner.
