Runners angry as Helena Tipping 10K axed in Wrexham
A popular Wrexham road race held in memory of former athlete Helena Tipping has been cancelled following a dispute between organisers and Wrexham Council.
The Helena Tipping Wrexham 10K was due to take place on Sunday 14 September, starting at the Net World Sports site and finishing at Isycoed Community Centre. This year would have been the 33rd running of the event, held in memory of the former Wrexham AAC runner.
Organisers Run Cheshire told participants the race could not go ahead due to an “ongoing disagreement” with the council’s highways department. Refunds are being offered to runners.
In a message to participants, Run Cheshire said: “We’re really disappointed to tell you that we have had to cancel the Helena Tipping Wrexham 10k due to an ongoing disagreement with Wrexham County Borough Council, specifically the Highways Department.
“In short; we were informed by the authority almost immediately after our Village Bakery Wrexham Half Marathon in February that due to the large number of complaints from the public they could no longer approve road closures.
“Following a number of unanswered emails and eventually a Freedom of Information request we learned that there was in fact just one complaint from the public.
“We have obviously challenged this decision and escalated our case within the authority but they are not budging. We have now ran out of time and have had to make the decision to cancel.”
Wrexham Council said the decision followed safety concerns, including “violations of highway legislation” and issues with volunteer marshals.
Cllr Terry Evans, lead member for environment, said: “Our environment department have been clear and given as much notice as possible to the race organisers about their applications being refused due to safety issues and concerns flagged up from previous events they had organised including violations of highway legislation and unqualified volunteer marshals illegally moving cones and directing traffic.
“A second application was received to run the race at a later date but on top of the existing concerns there would also be major highways works in the location with diversion routes clashing with those that were submitted for the race. We would not allow two sets of traffic management in such close proximity.
“As well as the above issues we also had concerns raised from residents, community council and the local ward member in regards to the event taking place.
“The event organisers have been informed that they do not have permission to place any traffic management on our highway. There is no option to reschedule the event, and we no longer support any sporting events being held at this location.”
Run Cheshire organiser Michael Harrington said the council’s position was “unfounded”, adding: “…we have managed races in this area for 10 years and never had a safety incident. For years we have attended the Council’s Event Safety Authority group meetings and been scrutinised about the races and passed every time with flying colours so the line ‘the public safety is paramount’ is just absolute flannel.”
He added: “Regarding the residents and local area, we get great support from the majority with many of them cheering the runners and a fair few taking part. This year we have made a large cash donation to the village school, we were a collection point for Wrexham Foodbank, we took clothes that had been abandoned at the start to a local charity after washing them.
“We have a great relationship with the local prison whereby some of the low-risk men have helped at drink stations and handed out medals at the end, so the races are a real force for good as well as a great health initiative.”
Flintshire runners who had entered the race contacted Deeside.com to express their disappointment, raising concerns about the wider impact on local charities and the running community.
(Top pic: via RunCheshire.com )
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