by Gabriela Wyszynska, Local Community Reporter
Picture courtesy of Pexels The award-winning Ealing Half Marathon will return on Sunday, September 26, but only if enough people soon sign up to take part. Last year’s race was called off due to coronavirus restriction but, with legal limits on social contact expected to be lifted in June, the race is likely to be permitted this September.
“Basically at the moment, we’re working on the basis there will be zero restrictions and lockdown will be fully lifted by September. We do have a backup plan, just in case. But at the moment we’re planning it as a normal event without any social distancing,” says Sandra Courtney, Race Director.
Organisers say their income has reduced by 85 per cent during the pandemic, and the lifting of restrictions later in the year won’t be enough to guarantee the event goes ahead.
“All our events were cancelled last year, so revenues have been a big hit. We did have reserves and obviously overhead will need to be paid. We still have ongoing costs of offices, bills etc., that have to be paid for the year we haven’t had any revenues coming up, so that’s the issue we’re facing at the moment,” said Sandra.
The Ealing Half Marathon is run by a Community Interest Company (CIC) for the benefit of the community. The event was voted the UK’s best half marathon three years in a row and is west London’s only fully road closed half marathon. Around 5,000 runners usually take part, and between them, they have raised more than £2.5m for good causes.
The route starts and finishes in Lammas Park and the 13.1 miles course takes in the leafy streets and parks of central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephens. Each year thousands of spectators line the streets to cheer on the runners.
Entries for the 2021 edition are now open and cost £48 (affiliated) and £50 (unaffiliated). Refunds will be offered if the race doesn’t go ahead. Runners can enter now at www.ealinghalfmarathon.com .