ORGANISERS of the Sunderland festival of running have apologised and offered runners a 25 per cent discount on next year's event after admitting competitors inadvertently followed an incorrect route, losing 264 metres from their finishing distance.

Competitors in the Marathon of the North and the Half Marathon of the North took the wrong turn through the Sheepfolds area of Sunderland owing to incorrect placing of marshals at the event held on April 28.

Only the winner of the half-marathon followed the correct route, near to the Stadium of Light, while all those who followed took the wrong route, missing out a section that took in Wilson Street and Brook Street.

Organisers DS Media and Events said in a statement: "We are sincerely sorry for any confusion and frustration that this has caused.

"We value the participation of all runners in our events beyond anything else and do our best to ensure a safe and enjoyable race for all. The Sunderland City 10K, Marathon of the North and Half Marathon of the North are growing and developing events and, along with our partners in the city, we are convinced they will continue to grow."

Runners will be contacted before entries open for next year's event to advise them on how to activate the 25% discount.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary for Sunderland City Council, Councillor Mel Speding said:"We must acknowledge the race organiser's swift action to recognise and rectify this unfortunate oversight.

"Our city has a fantastic reputation for staging large scale cultural and sporting events. We will continue to support Sunderland Live in its new role in expanding and developing the range and quality of these events - which includes the new Marathon of the North - in the future."

But reaction on the event's Facebook page was less forgiving.

Participant Lee Willis wrote on the page: "A lot of people have been let down after paying for a professional race which means professionally measured, staffed and timed.

 

"Race times missing and unrecorded, a course that was poor to start with, but then incorrectly measured due to poor management of staff and an insulting compensation of 25% off next year's race means I certainly won't be taking part again and will be surprised if many more do."

Anita Savage Grainge added: "Very disappointing about incorrect distances. People will be angry and this should not be allowed to happen. Runners pay for an accurately measured course and do not expect this."

But Simon Park remarked: "At first I was gutted, but now as far as I'm concerned I still ran a marathon - the 26.2 mile distance is only a recent invention, not even 100 years old.

"The first Olympic marathons were between 24 and 26 miles, and the original marathon - from Marthon to Athens is 25 miles. Just trying to keep positive."

And Craig Symington said: "A bit of a mix up with the distance, but still a excellent day and experience. See you next year."