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Runners 'understand' half marathon safety changes | Runners 'understand' half marathon safety changes |
(2 days later) | |
A half marathon was cancelled and another shortened on Sunday amid security fears. What did the runners make of the changes? | A half marathon was cancelled and another shortened on Sunday amid security fears. What did the runners make of the changes? |
Sam Vasudaven was shivering at the start line waiting to begin his 13.1 mile (21km) run. | Sam Vasudaven was shivering at the start line waiting to begin his 13.1 mile (21km) run. |
He had driven for more than two hours from his home in Rochester, Kent, to join 3,500 others in the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough. | He had driven for more than two hours from his home in Rochester, Kent, to join 3,500 others in the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough. |
However, 20 minutes before the race, reports came in to police of a man acting suspiciously on the route and officers were sent to investigate - delaying the 10:30 BST start. | However, 20 minutes before the race, reports came in to police of a man acting suspiciously on the route and officers were sent to investigate - delaying the 10:30 BST start. |
It was another 45 minutes before officers found it was a false alarm. | It was another 45 minutes before officers found it was a false alarm. |
With some runners showing early signs of hypothermia and organisers knowing the roads would have to reopen at 14:00, they decided to cancel. | With some runners showing early signs of hypothermia and organisers knowing the roads would have to reopen at 14:00, they decided to cancel. |
It was "really disappointing" race director Jon Marsden said, but they were "extremely understanding". | It was "really disappointing" race director Jon Marsden said, but they were "extremely understanding". |
"Of course there are a number of runners who are very disappointed and I understand that but health, safety and welfare of participants is paramount for us," he said. | "Of course there are a number of runners who are very disappointed and I understand that but health, safety and welfare of participants is paramount for us," he said. |
"Runners are a wonderful breed and there was a great sense of camaraderie," one runner Sam Vasudaven said. | "Runners are a wonderful breed and there was a great sense of camaraderie," one runner Sam Vasudaven said. |
"Everybody comes together and they are especially used to the British weather. | "Everybody comes together and they are especially used to the British weather. |
"It was actually quite a nice atmosphere, people were sharing their silver blankets, it was the most British reaction to something going wrong. | "It was actually quite a nice atmosphere, people were sharing their silver blankets, it was the most British reaction to something going wrong. |
"When we found out it was something safety orientated we had to understand." | "When we found out it was something safety orientated we had to understand." |
In 2013, three people were killed and 260 injured in the Boston Marathon bombing. | |
"It's such a wonderful atmosphere and you're in the mind set of achieving a personal best so you do not think about these security things," Mr Vasudaven said. | "It's such a wonderful atmosphere and you're in the mind set of achieving a personal best so you do not think about these security things," Mr Vasudaven said. |
"But yesterday I started to contemplate things a lot more, I think everyone was aware of what happened in Boston and the issue of safety. | |
"I will still go back next year though." | "I will still go back next year though." |
'Starting to shiver' | 'Starting to shiver' |
Robbie Shadbolt had travelled from Leeds for the run but said he took it all in his stride. | Robbie Shadbolt had travelled from Leeds for the run but said he took it all in his stride. |
"To be honest it was a bit of relief not to have to run in the rain," he said. | "To be honest it was a bit of relief not to have to run in the rain," he said. |
"It was a little annoying because I travelled down from Leeds just to race but I totally understand why they did it. | "It was a little annoying because I travelled down from Leeds just to race but I totally understand why they did it. |
"Some people in the start bins were starting to shiver a lot so I imagine they were most concerned about keeping people standing there for an indefinite period." | "Some people in the start bins were starting to shiver a lot so I imagine they were most concerned about keeping people standing there for an indefinite period." |
And he still managed to get a picture of himself crossing the finish line. | And he still managed to get a picture of himself crossing the finish line. |
Other runners were equally stoical. | Other runners were equally stoical. |
Jenny Brandham said everyone was in "good spirits" and she praised the marshals and medical staff for looking after the runners. | Jenny Brandham said everyone was in "good spirits" and she praised the marshals and medical staff for looking after the runners. |
Keith Ovenden said it was "disappointing" but sounded like the "right call". | Keith Ovenden said it was "disappointing" but sounded like the "right call". |
"We shall be back better than ever next year," he said. | "We shall be back better than ever next year," he said. |
Twitter user Waspy Whyman said it was a "tough decision to make" but organisers had everyone's "best interest at heart". | Twitter user Waspy Whyman said it was a "tough decision to make" but organisers had everyone's "best interest at heart". |
"Good decisive actions save lives," he said. | "Good decisive actions save lives," he said. |
Mr Marsden said organisers were "shell-shocked" by the cancellation but would contact runners within three days to offer a refund or entry into next year's race. | Mr Marsden said organisers were "shell-shocked" by the cancellation but would contact runners within three days to offer a refund or entry into next year's race. |
He told the BBC that due to the road closure orders in place, there was a 15 minute window to get the race started after the advertised time. | He told the BBC that due to the road closure orders in place, there was a 15 minute window to get the race started after the advertised time. |
He said many eventualities were considered and planned for and Sunday's incident had been a "purely circumstantial" event. | He said many eventualities were considered and planned for and Sunday's incident had been a "purely circumstantial" event. |
This was the first time in 30 years the race had been cancelled and, as after every event, there will be a debrief and lessons learned, Mr Marsden said. | This was the first time in 30 years the race had been cancelled and, as after every event, there will be a debrief and lessons learned, Mr Marsden said. |
Great Birmingham Run | Great Birmingham Run |
Meanwhile, about 85 miles west, entrants in the Great Birmingham Run did get to stretch their legs but not as much they hoped. | Meanwhile, about 85 miles west, entrants in the Great Birmingham Run did get to stretch their legs but not as much they hoped. |
The run was shortened by a couple of miles after reports of a suspicious vehicle parked close to the course in the Cannon Hill Park area. | The run was shortened by a couple of miles after reports of a suspicious vehicle parked close to the course in the Cannon Hill Park area. |
"Safety first" is the over-riding sentiment of the more than 400 comments made on the event's Facebook post announcing the shorter route. | "Safety first" is the over-riding sentiment of the more than 400 comments made on the event's Facebook post announcing the shorter route. |
"I can imagine it was disappointing for some but you've got to roll with it and take what comes on the day," Richard Mercer wrote. | "I can imagine it was disappointing for some but you've got to roll with it and take what comes on the day," Richard Mercer wrote. |
"We all remember what happened in Boston," Michael Rosenfeldt posted. | "We all remember what happened in Boston," Michael Rosenfeldt posted. |
Steph Pallas was disappointed at missing out on a potential personal best, but added: "At least we got to run and all safely." | Steph Pallas was disappointed at missing out on a potential personal best, but added: "At least we got to run and all safely." |
Ellen Williams said: "A suspicious vehicle has to be taken seriously in this day and age. | Ellen Williams said: "A suspicious vehicle has to be taken seriously in this day and age. |
"You missed out on a couple of miles and a potential personal best, but you went home to your families and friends able to race another day." | "You missed out on a couple of miles and a potential personal best, but you went home to your families and friends able to race another day." |
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