No deal yet signed for Plymouth Half Marathon

A DEAL to finalise next year's Plymouth Half Marathon is close to being signed, organisers have told The Herald.

The race's official website has a holding page saying '2010 event details to follow', leaving runners unable to make arrangements for next year.

Demand for the 2010 event is expected to be higher than ever after this year's sold-out occasion, held under cloudless blue skies on May 24.

Inquiries to the half marathon office are running at "a dozen a day", according to Nigel Rowe, last year's race organiser.

It is understood that Mr Rowe, Babcock Marine and Plymouth City Council are working on a three-way agreement on the event, a major feature in the Plymouth Summer Festival calendar.

However, details have yet to emerge while discussions go on between the three parties.

Mr Rowe, Chair of the Plymouth Sports Forum, said he was hopeful the event would go ahead as usual in 2010.

He confirmed he was in talks with Babcock and Plymouth City Council.

He said: "I am optimistic. It's about providing an event of that stature for the city and opportunities that the event offers to local organisations and charities.

"It's a much bigger picture than just the half marathon.

"I would like to think that within the next few days we can get signatures on the paperwork for me to make the necessary changes and get things up and running as soon as possible. People quite rightly want to know if it's on or off."

Babcock Marine has confirmed it will be sponsoring the event next year.

A spokesman from Babcock said: "We are currently exploring routes through which the sponsorship funding can be directed and we are hoping to be able to confirm the way forward in the near future."

A Plymouth City Council spokesman said: "The half marathon is an important event in the Summer Festival programme."

This year's 13.1 mile race had a field of 5,000 runners and attracted thousands more spectators. More than 1,000 schoolchildren took part in the one-mile fun run. It raised more than £150,000 for charity.

John Smith, coach and treasurer for the Tamar Trotters, which enters dozens of runners into the race, said a delay could have knock-on effects for other events.

He said: "It does seem odd; it's just holding everything up. Many runners who are very new to the sport will need three or four months to train."

2009 Plymouth Half Marathon start - part one.

2009 Plymouth Half Marathon start - part two.

Click here to see yourself cross the line at the 2009 Plymouth Half Mararthon.