Swindon Half Marathon Cancelled

Swindon Half Marathon has been cancelled, after event sponsor British Heart Foundation pulled out of the annual event due to running costs.

The news will no doubt come as a crushing blow to local runners who participate in the gruelling half, year in, year out. 

The British Heart Foundation took over the event from Nationwide two years ago and last year raised an estimated £100,000. 

However despite attracting more than 1,500 runners in 2014 and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity, the event which was due to take place on Sunday 11th October is no longer happening. 

A statement of the British Heart Foundation's website reads: "We will no longer be running the Swindon Half Marathon. We will get in contact with those already registered to arrange a refund."

"Further information will be made available on the event shortly."

Speaking to TGtS Alistair Hills, Regional Event Organiser for the British Heart Foundation, said that he is deeply sorry that the event has been cancelled “I’m sorry to say that the British Heart Foundation will no longer be able to operate the BHF Swindon Half Marathon this year.  

As a charity we need to be extremely shrewd where we allocate our funds to maximise fundraising in the fight against heart disease. The high costs of running this event means it is no longer a sound investment for the BHF."

Existing 2015 registrants will be contacted directly and offered a refund / entry in to another BHF event.

Have your say! What did you think about BHF pulling out of the Swindon Half Marathon? Share your views below...