Plans are under way for next year's Nationwide Building Society New Swindon Half Marathon after this year's fell victim to the covid crisis.
The organisers aim to have the event back to its familiar form - this image is from 2018 - next year
The organisers explain on the event's website that the decision to cancel was taken because of concerns over higher incidence of covid-19 in the town and Swindon's status on the Public Health England watchlist.
A plan has been made to stage the event in a way which allowed distancing and other safety measures, but it was decided that bringing people into affected postcode areas would not be appropriate.
The organisers' statement says: "We simply can’t be sure that the current covid-19 situation in Swindon will have improved sufficiently in the next four weeks, and it’s not fair on those entered to proceed with uncertainty and be forced into a later cancellation.
"Even though our plans demonstrate how an adapted version of the event could be offered with no impact on community transmission, it’s not responsible for us to bring any number of people into the affected postcodes and have them disperse to their respective communities.
"Whilst it's hugely disappointing for runners, local businesses and the charities who so desperately need the support that the event generates, public health has to come first.
"We’ll be back next year and hope you’ll be with us."
Runners who were due to take part in the 2020 race on Sunday, 20 September have been contacted by email, and any entrant who has not received an email is asked to get in touch at [email protected]
Next year's race will be held on Sunday, 19 September.
The statement added a message to runners who had planned to take part in this year's race: "It would help us so much if you keep your place and allow us to automatically defer your entry to next year’s event.
"By keeping your place, you’ll save up to £5 by beating next year’s price rise, your place on the start line will be guaranteed and you won’t have to remember to enter again.
"If you’re happy to defer to next year’s event, you don’t need to do anything. We’ll move you over automatically. If you’ve purchased any merchandise, that will also be transferred with your entry.
"If you’d rather, we are able to transfer your entry to any one of more than 150 events in 2020 or 2021 from The Race Organiser group, including the iconic Run Silverstone or the neighbouring Frome Half Marathon."
The organisers can be contacted on 0207 684 7185, by email at [email protected] and via https://www.newswindonhalf.co.uk/
A plan has been made to stage the event in a way which allowed distancing and other safety measures, but it was decided that bringing people into affected postcode areas would not be appropriate.
The organisers' statement says: "We simply can’t be sure that the current covid-19 situation in Swindon will have improved sufficiently in the next four weeks, and it’s not fair on those entered to proceed with uncertainty and be forced into a later cancellation.
"Even though our plans demonstrate how an adapted version of the event could be offered with no impact on community transmission, it’s not responsible for us to bring any number of people into the affected postcodes and have them disperse to their respective communities.
"Whilst it's hugely disappointing for runners, local businesses and the charities who so desperately need the support that the event generates, public health has to come first.
"We’ll be back next year and hope you’ll be with us."
Runners who were due to take part in the 2020 race on Sunday, 20 September have been contacted by email, and any entrant who has not received an email is asked to get in touch at [email protected]
Next year's race will be held on Sunday, 19 September.
The statement added a message to runners who had planned to take part in this year's race: "It would help us so much if you keep your place and allow us to automatically defer your entry to next year’s event.
"By keeping your place, you’ll save up to £5 by beating next year’s price rise, your place on the start line will be guaranteed and you won’t have to remember to enter again.
"If you’re happy to defer to next year’s event, you don’t need to do anything. We’ll move you over automatically. If you’ve purchased any merchandise, that will also be transferred with your entry.
"If you’d rather, we are able to transfer your entry to any one of more than 150 events in 2020 or 2021 from The Race Organiser group, including the iconic Run Silverstone or the neighbouring Frome Half Marathon."
The organisers can be contacted on 0207 684 7185, by email at [email protected] and via https://www.newswindonhalf.co.uk/
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