Houthi attacks mean no medals or T-shirts at finish of Inverness Half Marathon

Runners hoping to celebrate their half marathon and 5k success next weekend will have to wait a little longer for their medals.

Organisers of the Inverness Half Marathon, which is due to take place on Sunday, March 10, say finishers' medals and T-shirts have been delayed due to the Houthi rebel attacks on container ships in the Red Sea.

In a statement on the event website, they state: "Due to unforeseen shipping delays as a result of the Houthi rebel attacks on container ships in the Red Sea, unfortunately it won’t be possible to hand out finisher medals and half marathon finisher T-shirts at the finish line on March 10. Instead, we will be posting these to all finishers as soon as possible after the event.

"We know how important your finisher items are to you and we are disappointed not to be able to hand over your commemorative medal and technical T-shirt as you cross the finish line."

Many major shipping companies have diverted vessels around South Africa for fear of further attacks from the Iranian-backed rebel group. In November last year they hijacked a commercial ship in the Red Sea and have attacked other vessels since then.

Half marathon organisers said the ship containing the medals and T-shirts was among those which had been diverted.

They added: "The ship was originally due to arrive in Southampton on February 10 before being re-routed via South Africa with a scheduled arrival date of February 26, giving ample time before the event. However, due to the increased amount of shipping on this route, our shipment will now not arrive in time before the event."

It promised that the items would be posted to runners who complete the events as soon as possible after race day.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of minor alterations to the long-established route of the Inverness Half Marathon due to roadworks in the city.

There will be a section on Ness Walk between the RNI Community Hospital and Highland Hospice where the road forks for 200m. Runners are asked to follow marshals' instructions at this point.

Just after the three-mile mark, a short dog-leg of 280m has been added at the Holm roundabout to compensate for ongoing road works on Burn Road. At the seven-mile mark, the half marathon route will now pass along Lodge Road onto Drummond Road instead of using Burn Road, then continue as previously onto Lochardil Road.

Organisers said the altered route has been measured and certified by Scottish Athletics.

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