by Katie Alston

kalston@thekmgroup.co.uk

A lack of entrants and rocketing costs have forced organisers to cancel the Canterbury Half Marathon.

Despite 1,000 people taking part last year, only 179 entries had been received just weeks before this year’s 13-mile race, which was due to head off from Canterbury Rugby Club in Merton Lane on May 22.

It was originally in aid of the Pilgrims Hospices, but the charity decided to cut ties with the event as last year only 15 entrants were raising money for the hospices.

Pilgrims Hospices’ regional fundraising manager Deborah Kellond said: “Pilgrims Hospices had decided not to be involved with the half-marathon in an organisation or financial capacity this year and were simply going to be a beneficiary of any sponsorship money raised.

“Our decision was based on the noticeable increase in runners at the event, which was very pleasing for such an established Canterbury sporting event, but the very significant decrease in the money raised for Pilgrims Hospices.

“The event has been well supported over the years and is firmly on the running fraternity’s calendar of events.

“However, it has become much more of an elite running event rather than a fundraising one, and many other charities were benefiting from monies raised rather than us.

“Our focus has to be about raising money and we can do this with the creation of our own local, more inclusive events such as our Moonlight Walks, cycle challenges and Light up the City Fun Run.

“The new venue, police and highway costs which were introduced as Pilgrims were no longer involved meant that logistical organisers Race Timing Systems felt that they could not make it a financially viable event.”

In 2009 Pilgrims Hospices outsourced the logistical part of the half-marathon to professional run organisers 2:09 Events.

This year they then outsourced it to Race Timing Systems, which officially called time on the event three weeks ago.

Race Timings Systems owner Kevin Farmer said: “With only about five or six weeks to go we only had 179 entries, and to make it viable we would have needed 750 to cover our costs.

“There just hasn’t been the interest, perhaps it was released too late.
“A lot of people don’t realise how expensive running an event like this can be, and costs have risen quite a lot over the years.

“Policing, marshals, road closures and VAT cost a lot.

“We have a lot of experience organising these types of events, and it is upsetting to have had to cancel it, and we haven’t done it lightly.”