Talks to bring back Swindon Half Marathon for first time since 2019

The race last took place in 2019

Talks are taking place which could see the return of a half marathon which has not gone ahead since before the pandemic.

If negotiations go well between an unnamed sports event company and Swindon Borough Council, Swindon Half Marathon could return in September.

Council leader Jim Robbins said while talks were ongoing, the race's return was "not a done deal".

The Wiltshire event last took place in 2019.

Mr Robbins told a meeting of the council's overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Monday: "If the company does want to come to run the event, then they will want a multi-year deal."

The Swindon race could not go ahead in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The 2021 event was cancelled 11 days before it was due to go ahead

And the 2021 event, which was scheduled for 19 September, was cancelled by management company The Race Organiser just 11 days before it was due to take place.

The company said the pandemic had increased its costs and there had been a significant drop in entries, compared to before the pandemic, which meant it could not afford to go ahead with the race.

It promised the 2022 race would go ahead but this never happened.

Even before the pandemic in 2019, The Race Organiser had to step in at the last minute as the previous organiser had said the costs incurred made the event unviable.

After the meeting, Mr Davis said: "It's great that there is the possibility of a Swindon half marathon coming back. Watch this space!"