The award-winning Ealing Half Marathon will return on Sunday 26 September 2021 – but only if enough people enter the race soon. Organisers say their income has reduced by 85 per cent during the pandemic, and the lifting of restrictions later in the year won’t be enough to guarantee the race goes ahead.
The popular Ealing event was cancelled in 2020 due to Coronavirus restrictions. However, with legal limits on social contact expected to be lifted in June, the race is likely to be permitted this September.
Sandra Courtney, Race Director, explained: “Without enough runners and revenue, we simply can’t afford to put the race on.”
It costs over £250K to host the popular event, with the hire of marquees, portaloos, security and event insurance being just a few of the upfront costs.
“Our overheads still had to be paid during a year of lockdown despite our income being down by 85 per cent. Sadly, all our reserves are now gone,” Courtney says. “We are reliant on enough runners signing-up quickly, so we have enough money to pay the upfront event costs. Refunds will be offered if the race doesn’t go ahead.”
The Ealing Half Marathon is run by a Community Interest Company (CIC) for the benefit of the community, with any surplus ploughed into local community projects. It was voted the UK’s best half marathon three years in row and is west London’s only fully road closed half marathon. Around 5,000 runners take part each year and between them have raised over £2.5 million for charities and good causes. The CIC also runs two 10K races at Osterley Park and the popular Ealing Mile races in Lammas Park – all of which were cancelled during the pandemic.
Sandra Courtney added, “After a year of no events and little income, we really need the community to get behind this unique event and help us reach full capacity as soon as possible. We encourage anyone wanting to experience the #EalingFeeling to secure their place now and encourage a friend to sign up too! We are looking forward to welcoming runners old and new to the ninth Ealing Half Marathon.”
The 2021 Ealing Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 26 September. The race starts and finishes in Lammas Park and the 13.1 mile course takes in the leafy streets and parks of Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephens. Each year thousands of spectators line the streets to cheer on the runners.
Entries for the 2021 Ealing Half Marathon are now open and cost £48 (affiliated) and £50 (unaffiliated). Refunds will be offered if the race doesn’t go ahead. Runners can enter now at www.ealinghalfmarathon.com
