Oswestry Half Marathon 'will go ahead in 2018'
Oswestry Half Marathon will go ahead this year, even if an organising partner isn't found to run the event, it has been announced.
The decision secures the future of the half marathon, which began last year but was struck a blow after organisers UK Run Chat pulled out.
The event, held from the British Ironworks Centre, attracted more than 1,000 runners in 2017, and centre chairman Clive Knowles held meetings with other possible organisers.
He has now said that even if an organiser isn't found, the race will definitely go ahead.
He said: "The ideal scenario would be to have someone with expertise of holding events, as they know what to do and the organising can be offloaded on to them. But even if that isn't the case, the half marathon will still be going ahead.
"It would be a great shame if it didn't go ahead. We have already had all the medals produced so it will definitely be taking place."
Last year's event saw runners start at the British Ironworks Centre before running around back lanes and into the town, and eventually returning to the centre on the outskirts of Oswestry.
It was held in May last year, but Mr Knowles has said due to the setbacks this time, the race will take place later in the year.
A meeting is set to take place in February with different parties, including the town council and the highways department, with the view of setting up a working committee if an independent organiser is not found.
Mr Knowles added: "We have committed to the event now with all the medals in place, but the date will have to be moved back, it won't be in May.
"A meeting is taking place with a view to putting a working committee together to give people different responsibilities. It is an iconic event for Oswestry that we want to run for years and years. We are willing to invest heavily in the event to keep it going year on year."
