Forget your PB: Brighton Half Marathon organisers admit course is 146m too short
For nearly three decades, the Brighton Half Marathon has remained one of the most popular fixtures on the English running calendar.
But now thousands of runners have been left crestfallen, after it was revealed that the race is 146m shorter than the required distance.
Following an investigation by the event’s organisers, it has emerged that a turning point in the race is considerably short of the mark - meaning hundreds of runners will now have personal bests and other milestones voided by UK Athletics.
Named as one of the eight events that form the annual Vitality Run Series in 2014, the highly popular event spans along the Brighton seafront, past famous landmarks including the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Pier.
However, changes made to the course during the previous year appear to be the root of the problem, with the eastern turning point, four miles in, notably shorter than it should be.
But now thousands of runners have been left crestfallen, after it was revealed that the race is 146m shorter than the required distance.
Following an investigation by the event’s organisers, it has emerged that a turning point in the race is considerably short of the mark - meaning hundreds of runners will now have personal bests and other milestones voided by UK Athletics.
Named as one of the eight events that form the annual Vitality Run Series in 2014, the highly popular event spans along the Brighton seafront, past famous landmarks including the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Pier.
However, changes made to the course during the previous year appear to be the root of the problem, with the eastern turning point, four miles in, notably shorter than it should be.
According to a number of regular competitors, work being carried out on the Madeira Drive arches, which are situated close to the problem spot, may have been the cause of the changes.
It means the race has been 0.09 miles shorter than the required distance of 13.1 miles, with the times obtained by as many as 30,000 competitors now in jeopardy of being disqualified by the sport’s governing body.
The admission was made known to participants in a newsletter published on Friday by Sussex Beacon, the charity which organises the race, which said it had been left “devastated” by the blunder.
Simon Dowe, CEO of the charity, said: “We can’t apologise enough for this mistake. I know it’s hugely disappointing to everyone who trained so hard.
“I also know that for some, the news will be devastating as it affects race times, personal bests and records. Our thoughts are very much with the runners. I’m so sorry that their remarkable achievements and the money raised for good causes may be overshadowed by this error.”
The issue was first raised after runners competing in last year’s events noted that the distances recorded on their GPS devices, including phones and running watches, were shorter than expected.
Reports were then passed on to UK Athletics, resulting in a formal investigation which confirmed the error.
Because the race is organised by a charity, organisers have said that runners will not be able claim a refund, but will be entitled to a loyalty offer for future events.
However, the mishap has caused outrage among some competitors, who claim that elite runners who have used the course to qualify for other events may now be subject to a raft of complications.
Stephen Cousins, a member of Worthing Harriers running club, said: “If you’re going to measure a course for 13.1 miles, it should really be 13.1 miles.
“Yes some people aren’t that bothered and, you know, to be honest, if you’re having fun, an extra 100 metres isn’t that big of a deal. But for a lot of people it does make a difference.”
Another, is Eleanor Davis, who won last year’s race and set a course record and personal best, qualifying her for elite entry for the London Marathon.
“It’s really disappointing because I’ve been training in Ethiopia as well for the three weeks before it and I targeted it because I wanted to do a fast half marathon. Now it doesn’t mean anything to be honest, it means as much as say a multi terrain marathon or a fun run really.”
The incident is not the first time the course has faced controversy, after it was found to be nearly a third of a mile longer than expected in 2012 due to a “human error”, in the same area between mile four and mile five.
It is the latest in a catalogue of measuring errors, which have also affected races held in Glasgow and Manchester.
Commenting on the admission, race director Martin Harrigan said: “We are a team of runners ourselves so we fully understand the impact of this news.
“We are really upset that this mistake has happened and we take full responsibility for this situation. We remain committed to making the 2018 Brighton Half Marathon a great event.”
SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/31/brighton-half-marathon-146m-short-meaning-thousands-runners
SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/31/brighton-half-marathon-146m-short-meaning-thousands-runners
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