It has been revealed that Stirling Marathon will return in Autumn 2020, despite being cancelled earlier this year.
After having run for three years, the Great Run Company announced in May that they were pulling out, after failing to turn the race into a “world-class event”.
However, a new backer has ensured that the event will live to see another year.
Classic Run Events has indicated that the marathon and half marathon will take place in Stirling on October 11, 2020, with a similar course.
The decision has also been taken to switch the marathon from spring to autumn to give runners more flexibility to prepare.
This will also eliminate the conflict of having the London Marathon, on the same day, which some people highlighted as a reason for the event’s cancellation earlier this year.
A ‘festival of running’ aimed at attracting families, will takes place at King’s Park the day before the marathon. It will feature a five-kilometre run, junior three-kilometre run and a ‘family mile’ with a mascot race and a come-and-try sports arena also to be featured.
Prior to the big races, a ‘marathon expo’ will also be held at the Albert Halls on October 9 and 10.
A new feature of the marathon will be a corporate relay, offering businesses and charities the chance to experience the atmosphere of a marathon by entering teams of four to run 10 kilometres each.
Jenn Wetton, who won the 2019 women’s race, said: “It’s a wonderful marathon course with fantastic supporters along the route. The back drop of Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument make this one of the most awe inspiring runs I’ve ever taken part in.
“I’m especially pleased that the prize money for elite athletes has been significantly increased to reflect the status and importance of the new look event.”
Stirling Council’s community planning and regeneration committee convener Chris Kane said: “It’s with great pleasure that I can finally reveal the Stirling Scottish Marathon will be back next year in its new autumn calendar slot with a wider weekend of supporting activities.”
“Now it’s time for runners from all over the country to plan their training schedules, choose a charity to fundraise for and get ready to run through some of the most spectacular surroundings of any race anywhere in the world.”
Councillor Maureen Bennison added: “It’s a massive win for Stirling to see this great event coming back to our streets.
“Not only will it continue to establish our City as a world-class events destination, it’ll once again give people of all ages and abilities a chance to get active and live healthier lifestyles.”
Featured image credit: simplyhealth.org
Fourth-year BA (Hons) Journalism Studies student.
News Editor, Sports Editor and Head of Proofreading for Brig Newspaper.
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