Following last Friday’s statement by Welsh Government it has now become apparent that the JCP Swansea Half Marathon will be unable to be held, as intended on November 1st 2020.
Race Director, David Martin-Jewell said: “It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce the postponement of this year’s race. 2020 is proving to be the most challenging of our 7-year history. Like many other events and businesses this year, we have been continually affected by the global coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in this decision.
Since the beginning of the lockdown measures, we have continued working to find solutions which would enable a return to the sport we love. We have also worked closely with our collaborative partners within MSO Cymru who are leading the debate and planning to demonstrate that mass participation sporting events in Wales can return safely. I believe that we have developed robust, workable solutions that could allow us to deliver a Covid-safe event. However, following the cautious easing of restrictions as announced by Welsh Government on Friday the 21st August and no further pathway identified or confirmed for mass events to return, we must now defer the event to 2021.
We, like you, find this extremely frustrating and disappointing as we are all runners and have continued training, fundraising (and planning) with the hope of a return to mass running. Yet, as it stands, November seems to be too soon for this to occur. We will not be holding a virtual version of the event, as it was clear that this was not supported by our runners following the survey we carried out a few weeks ago.
The JCP Swansea Half Marathon helps raise approx. £1m per year for local and national charities including our charity partners; CRUK, Diabetes UK Cymru and Maggie’s, all of whom have suffered an enormous short fall in fundraising and opportunities due to the volume of events that have been cancelled this year.
Events like ours helps more than the runners who participate in the race; we help raise vital funds and awareness for charities and good causes and work with hundreds of suppliers and contractors. What’s more, we help people with their physical and mental health that helps underpin various national agendas surrounding obesity, mental wellness and well-being. The entire team is devastated that we are unable to deliver this year’s event, but we realise and are fully aware of the ongoing impact of pandemic during, and what is turning into, an exceptional year for all the wrong reasons.
We have not wanted or tried to proceed with the event in a reckless manner, and have sought the opinions and views of entrants, volunteers, stakeholders, the wider community and event partners with the majority of responses supportive of our plans and the event proceeding as intended. Although we believe that we have workable solutions that would enable the event to proceed safely, we will now have to wait until 2021. So, we now turn our eyes to the horizon and begin to look forward to welcoming you all back to Swansea next year to take part in our 7th edition of the JCP Swansea Half Marathon on the 13th June 2021.”
Everyone associated with the event will be disappointed with the news, but anyone with a place in the 2020 event will automatically be entered in next year’s event.
All registered participants for the 2020 JCP Swansea Half Marathon have been emailed their available options. If you have not received an email with this information, please email us.
