Torbay Half Marathon cancelled over safety concerns

A weather warning has been issued

The Torbay Half Marathon has been cancelled after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for the region. Organisers say they will not be able to reschedule the event this year.

Runners had been due to take to the Bay's seafront roads tomorrow morning (September 29) for the annual half marathon or 10k race. Organisers had said yesterday (September 27) that the forecasted wind speed did "not pose a risk to participants" but said it would likely be making adjustments, including not having banners lining the course, weighting down or removing gazebos from the event village, simplifying the start and finish and having fewer mile markers.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning, which covers most of the Devon coast, all of Cornwall and parts of Wales from 9am to 11:59pm tomorrow. The forecaster has warned of travel disruption, loss of power and spray or large waves in coastal areas.

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This morning (September 28), the organisers of the half marathon, which takes participants along the seafront between Paignton and Torquay, have changed their minds and decided it could be risky for the race to go ahead. They say the cancellation is their "only option".

The Race Director said: "First and foremost, we are sorry that it has been necessary to cancel the events at short notice and completely understand that many people will be disappointed.

"However, the safety and well-being of participants, spectators, and all those associated with the delivery of our events is our absolute priority, and with the predicted wind speeds, the only decision available to us, after consultation with other parties, has been to cancel."

Taurus Events, who has organised the race, says the time of year means that they won't be able to reschedule the event in 2024. It says it is planning its 2025 races, with a date announcement on the horizon.

The organisers say they are currently working on "next steps" to refund entry fees and that participants will be contacted in the next few days about this.