EVENT UPDATE - SHEFFIELD HALF MARATHON

The following message was sent to participants in the 2024 Sheffield Half Marathon on 6th April 2024.

Dear Participants,

As you may have seen in recent weather forecasts, Storm Kathleen is bringing strong gusty winds to parts of the UK and has therefore introduced reasonably foreseeable risks to the event.

Working closely with Sheffield City Council and our Health and Safety officers we have engaged the Met Office in order to receive more accurate reports to allow us to manage preparations for the event and to assist in reducing risks so far as is reasonably practicable.

Our team have been on site today preparing for tomorrow’s event and to closely monitor the weather throughout the day.

Due to the risks the weather brings, we have made adjustments to the event with regards both pre and post-race facilities as well as alterations on course.

Race Office – This will be located inside Sheffield Town Hall and can be accessed via Pinstone Street

Event Village – Our sponsors activations along with our fantastic partner charities will now be situated inside the Winter Gardens

Baggage – Baggage tents will be available on Peace Gardens and outside Winter Gardens but we would ask you to ONLY bring a bag to the event if truly necessary and instead consider leaving your belongs in your car or with family/friends.

Mile markers – There will be a reduced number of mile markers on course but where possible we will ensure distance markers are positioned at regular intervals

Pacers – Due to potential winds, pacers will not be carrying pacer flags. They will have their time on their back so please look out for them within the starting pens

As we hope you can appreciate, the welfare of our participants, volunteers, staff and spectators is our number one priority and we will take all measures we can to ensure your safety, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Tomorrow morning, we will review the forecast and the current conditions alongside our Health and safety officers and will decide on any further steps required in order to reduce any further risks.

All entrants and volunteers will receive a text message no later than 6:30am tomorrow, if you have correctly registered your number at registration, along with an email to confirm if the event is to be postponed due to the gusty winds. Please note, comms will only be sent in the event of a postponement.

In the meantime, we’d ask you to be mindful of the weather forecast for the weekend. Please ensure you are dressed for the weather, leave extra time for travel, take precautions when out on course and take care of one another.

Rest assured we’re taking all the steps we can and no decisions will be taken lightly. We know a lot of training has gone into tomorrow’s event but your safety is paramount.

The Run For All Team