Talks must progress quickly on Oswestry Half Marathon
A decision on the future of the half marathon needs to be made as soon as possible, according to those in discussions to bring it back for a second year.
UK Run Chat organised the first Oswestry Half Marathon, which attracted 10,000 runners, however recently they revealed they were pulling out of the event.
Even more people were expected to sign up for the second event in April, with over 500 people already registering an interest.
The event began and ended at the British Ironworks Centre, and owner Clive Knowles has been in discussions with three prospective organisers.
One meeting took place last weekend and Mr Knowles is confidence he can announced an organising partner soon.
But, he says a firm decision needs to be made soon with next years event looming large.
He said: "Talks went well at the weekend, we have one of the organisers we really want so we will have to just wait and see.
"I can't emphasise enough how big this event is for the town, last year we had people from as far away as Ireland there.
"It is big to boost the area and we just have to wait and see now, but we need to make a decision soon as the event wouldn't be far away."
The event was partly overshadowed last year by drivers going straight through road closed signs and nearly hitting runners.
However Oswestry Town Council has pledged to use marshals at the event to keep cars away from runners.
But apart from the one blip it was a highly successful event, which concluded on a long drag back up a field at the British Ironworks Centre.
Mr Knowles said it could cost up to £20,000 for an organiser to take the event on.
He added: "We need to make a decision because the medals are being sorted out and cut.
"It could cost between £15,000 and £20,000 to have an organiser and that money would need to be found somewhere."
The 13.1 mile race, held in April of this year, took runners through the British Ironwork Centre’s Sculpture Park before heading out on closed country roads and through Oswestry.
It also included a hill challenge half-way through.
After the success of this year’s half marathon talks got underway to see the Ironwork Centre become a regular venue for running with a weekly Park Run around the site.
