ORGANISERS remain hopeful a new date can be found for this year's English Half Marathon – after Sunday's race was called off.

Thousands of runners were due to take part in either a half marathon or 10k on Sunday, finishing through the Golden Gates in front of the Town Hall.

This was to be the 11th staging of the race with runs taking place throughout the weekend, including a 5k night race in Victoria Park on Friday and a mile after the main races on Sunday.

But they were postponed on Monday due to logistical problems.

A spokesman for EHM said talks are still ongoing about finding a new date for the event.

He added: "This has been an extremely difficult week for everyone involved in EHM, not least you the runners. We can only apologise for the disappointment, frustration and anger that the postponement of this weekend’s event has rightly caused.

"We are desperately trying to get the right outcome for everybody, and we are engaging in positive conversations with all relevant parties about whether a new event date is deliverable. This is taking longer than we would like and unfortunately, we will not be in a position to confirm that this week.

"A final decision will be made and communicated to you next week along with all the options open to you.

"Please accept our sincere apologies and please bear with us whilst we work through this and come to the right decision for everyone involved."

Suppliers are understood to be backing the event. A new date would have to be found before the first weekend of November when the weather makes putting on such a large event more difficult.

The decision to call off the race is not connected to the roadworks on Knutsford Road.

Warrington Guardian: English Half Marathon

The route included roads throughout south Warrington as well as a town centre loop which included Bridge Street and the Cultural Quarter.

It is one of the biggest events in Warrington's calendar.

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Last year more than 7,000 runners took part in one of the races with an estimated 16,000 people heading into the town centre on race day.

HARROW OFFER
 

Meanwhile organisers of this weekend's Harrow Half Marathon are offering free places to people who were due to race in the EHM.

A spokesman said: "We are offering free places in this Sunday’s race in Harrow with no admin fees to those who can prove they were entered for the race in Warrington and are prepared to travel.

"You’re guaranteed a warm welcome and a course that features historic landmarks, stunning views, parks and countryside.

"The start and finish is in the grounds of Harrow School, where Sir Winston Churchill and Benedict Cumberbatch were educated.

"All runners have to do is email info@harrowhalfmarathon.co.uk with proof of entry.

"There will have to be a limit of 100. We will reply with exact details of how to formally enter and you will need to bring photographic ID on Sunday.

"If travelling with the family, we can also offer limited places in the Sir Roger Bannister Family Mile. Hopefully, the organisers of the English Half Marathon can resolve their issues - we wish them well - but in the meantime we hope this offer is attractive to those able to take advantage of it.

"As members of the wider athletics community, we believe and hope that other events would do the same if the situation was reversed.

"It’s all about putting runners and the good causes they run for first. More details of the event can be found at harrowhalfmarathon.co.uk."