Decision to postpone Alloa Half Marathon was '100 per cent correct'

Organisers Alloa Round Table, led by race director John O’Malley, made the tough decision Saturday night, with thousands expected to shuttle to Alloa the following day.

The safety of the runners and race volunteers would be compromised due to the inclement conditions, and so, with a heavy heart, the decision was made to cancel.

Race director John is now working hard to announce a new date as soon as possible and will have to liaise with a number of partners, including Scottish Athletic, Clackmannanshire Council and Police Scotland to set a day for the 36th Alloa Half Marathon.

The Advertiser understands this was the first time in the race’s long history that adverse weather interrupted the proceedings.

John said: “Safety comes first in the race.

“We had to consider everybody that was involved within the race, including the runners, volunteers, the staff we need to set up the event.

“We are all volunteers at the end of the day and to ask somebody to come out in that kind of situation, in that weather, it did seem a big ask.”

A yellow warning was in place from the MET Office and John kept a close eye on the situation as it developed each hour.

And with Alloa getting a fresh blanket of the white stuff just as the race would have started, he reckons he made the right call on Saturday evening, even if it was a little later than some people would have wanted.

George Furmage, chair of the Wee County Harriers who still came out with more than 30 runners, backed the race director, saying the route was not unrunnable, but certainly unraceable.

He said: “My opinion is the decision made was 100 per cent correct and the decision was spearheaded by someone with over 40 years of race experience.

“Kudos and respect to the organisers for cancelling.”

Despite the weather, many athletes decided the run the race in any case, with Wee County Harriers among those taking to the road.

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