The popular Ocean Healthcare Torbay Half Marathon has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event, just weeks after postponing due to Covid 19.
Delayed start
The coastal run, which would have included a 10k distance this year, was due to take place this weekend, Sunday 21 June, but organisers postponed the event until September. Organisers have now sought advice and reviewed all options and made the tough decision to cancel this year’s event entirely.
Race director Greg Fine said, “We had hoped to run the postponed event in September, however social distancing will be with us for some time yet. Ocean Healthcare Torbay Half Marathon has always been and always will be committed to both runners and spectators health and safety and experience- we can not be confident that we can safely accommodate our runners whilst still creating the event we have all grown to love.”
Wide support
The event attracts nearly two thousand runners from all over the country and is a popular event for locals too – with crowds lining the route along the seafront from Paignton to Torquay. It is also generously supported by many local companies including Ocean Healthcare, Kitsons, Bays Brewery and Ocean Torbay. It is a not-for-profit event helping to raise thousands for local charities including Torbay Holiday Helpers Network and Rowcroft Hospice.
Impact
“We also have to balance the financial impact – we need to have a certain number of runners to ensure costs are covered, we can’t run the risk of running this event at a loss. We felt it best to put our efforts into ensuring the longevity of this event and look to 2021. We urge runners, experienced or novice, to sign up now.” added Greg.
Next year’s event will take place on Sunday 27 June and runners can sign up now via the website www.torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk.
We first covered the Torbay Half Marathon call for entries in 2010. And it was all set for a refreshed 2020.
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