29 July 2020
We’re working on a contact-free, COVID-secure Nationwide Building Society New Swindon Half Marathon in 2020.
We are working with the local authority, safety advisory group and health partners to offer a carefully adapted, smaller and simplified event on Sunday 20 September. Following updated guidance from the UK Government and in turn the governing body who license this event, UK Athletics, we are working with Swindon Borough Council and health specialists to determine whether the annual Nationwide Building Society New Swindon Half Marathon could safely take place.
The half marathon supports more than £250,000 of local charity fundraising and helps thousands of local people into becoming more active to reach the finish line.
Receiving a ‘Best Half Marathon’ accolade in the UK’s Running Awards and a Bronze Award from Racecheck based entirely on runners’ reviews, we know there is much demand and support for an adapted covid-secure version of the event this year.
We are carefully revising detailed event plans – from getting there to going home. We know that both the half marathon route, and our start and finish areas are spacious and offer flexibility to consider positive alternatives to the usual race format.
We’ll be able to share exactly what this could look like once we’ve assessed the likely impacts on local residents and the wider community. However, if we cannot be absolutely certain that an adapted event format will not raise any significant challenges or risks, this years’ edition may not be possible.
If we conclude that the event is able to go ahead we’ll explain exactly what’s changed, how it will work and why it’s all in place to keep everyone safe.
We understand how important this event is to every runner and all those who benefit from its’ taking place. Providing the certainty everyone needs to prepare for the event and make their decisions about taking part is our priority.
We’ll endeavour to reach this position by 14 August – just over six weeks prior to the event date.
If you have a question before then, we’re here to help. Thank you for your support for our brilliant, local half marathon. [email protected]