The plug is being pulled on one of Birmingham’s main sporting events just a year after it was relaunched.
The organisers of the Birmingham International Marathon admitted that last year’s runners hadn’t enjoyed the course, in part because of the impact of major roadworks and construction in the city. Efforts to find a better route for 2018 had foundered, they said.
“We just couldn’t put together a course to show off the best of the city,” a statement said. “We had very robust feedback from last year’s runners that it simply hadn’t been an iconic course that reflected the very best of the city.”
Following talks with Birmingham City Council, organiser the The Great Run Company took the decision to suspend entries to the 2018 marathon.
Paul Foster, CEO of the company, apologised to those who had already entered the event. “It’s a difficult, but sensible decision. Rather than compromise the event, it’s better to go back to the drawing board,” he said.
“Our ambition is to create an iconic marathon route showcasing the best of the city and we hope to be able to announce a new date and improved route later in the year,” he added.
A full redesign of the event is hoped for ahead of the city hosting 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Last year’s event attracted 9,000 runners and was considered a great platform for the city to showcase its Commonwealth Games credentials.
The company had said that after securing the 2022 Games it was vital that a showpiece event such as the marathon was the best it could possibly be.
Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “We could carry on with the route established last year, but it is much more important to look at this from a long-term perspective.”
Everyone who had signed up for this year’s Birmingham International Marathon will automatically receive a full refund and be offered discounted entry into the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run half marathon, which is still taking place on 14 October.
