Race cancelled due to low numbers

[runningdad]

So it was announced yesterday that the event I’ve been training for - the half marathon at the Jedburgh Running Festival - has been cancelled due to low numbers. So disappointing as the festival was a highlight of the Scottish autumn running calendar before the pandemic and it’s not managed to get back on its feet. Fingers crossed for next year and hopefully a bit more marketing from the organisers will help.

Training for this event has been my main focus after recovering from the Edinburgh marathon in the spring. So while I will finish this training block and plot out and complete a virtual route closer to home, it does feel like a limp end to the year compared to the euphoria of the spring when I completed my first marathon. But onwards and upwards as I look forward to more running achievements in 2023, all with the welcome support of the HU community of course!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh no!!! How disappointing! Can you find an alternative event?

[runningdad Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I’ll have a hunt around, but not much happening that late up this way. Annoying as there was an event just outside Edinburgh last week that I skipped because of already being booked for the one now cancelled.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to runningdad]

Ughh! I can imagine how frustrating that must be. Hope you find something 🤞

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Oh no runningdad, that’s such a shame. Are they hopeful they can run it in 2023 and defer your entry to then, or have you been given a refund? Hope you can find another race to round the year off. 🤞🏃‍♂️

[runningdad Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

it’s refunds, so I’m not very optimistic about it. The organisers are all very nice about it. But there wasn’t much effort to spread the word other than word of mouth and a Facebook event. Their website didn’t work for ages either. Shame because the support in the town the last time it was on was brilliant. And autumn in the Scottish Borders are lovely to run especially on a sunny day.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to runningdad]

oh that’s so disappointing! Training for an event and having it cancelled is pants! I’d be proper miffed. Two of my fave local races have bit the dust 😕

There has to be another one somewhere near you. RunABC is a good source of race info 🙂

I hope you find something 👍

[runningdad Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I’ll check out RunABC. I’ve found out there’s one a few weeks later in Falkirk which isn’t too far away, but will depend on the logistics and how early it is. If not, I’ll just plot a virtual route locally.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to runningdad]

that’s a good idea! I did a virtual marathon when mine got cancelled So glad I did Bit strange but hey 🤷‍♀️😀

[ArthurJG Half Marathon in reply to runningdad]

I’m doing Falkirk: it’ll be my first official half marathon. Think it’s a 9am start. I’ve booked a budget hotel.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

It would be good if organisers tried hard in circumstances like this to flag up other opportunities for people who have trained hard for the event. Really disappointing for everyone.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

That’s very disapppointing for you and all the other runners. But you know what, the training is never wasted because every single run has gone into your “running bank” and will always be there. But I know it’s not the same ☹️

I hope you manage to find an alternative race. Have you considered a virtual HM?

[runningdad Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes, it’s disappointing, but not wasted because as you say, it’s in the bank. There’s another race further West a few weeks later in November I’m considering; trying to work out if it’s realistic as I don’t want to stay overnight but also don’t want to have to get up ridiculously early to get there on time. If not I’ll just do it virtually.

[Cmoi Marathon]

That's a shame for you runningdad . I'd love to know what's meant by "low numbers" though, my first race had fewer than 70 competitors!