ORGANISERS of the Wycombe Half Marathon and 10K hope their decision to change Sunday’s course will secure the event’s future for a number of years.

They acted to spice up the event after last year’s race saw what is believed to be an all-time low of just 423 complete the flagship half marathon.

Now they have significantly changed the route, made it safer for runners, introduced a stadium finish, and will keep their fingers crossed that the measures have the desired effect.

Sunday’s Grant and Stone Wycombe Half Marathon – and its 10km equivalent – will no longer start and finish on The Rye.  Instead it will start at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park from where it will take runners through the countryside of West Wycombe Park and Lane End before finishing back at the home of Wanderers where runners will complete a circuit around the outside of the pitch before finishing in front of the players’ tunnel.

Peter Edington, chairman of Handy Cross Runners who organise the event said: “We have made the changes to try and sustain the race. We are trying to give it a bit of a refresh and extra stimulus.”

The number of runners competing has been in decline for a number of years with a significant drop-off from the Eighties when it regularly attracted more than 1,000 competitors.

The changes aren’t expected to be an instant fix however, with only around 500 expected to take part in Sunday’s first test of the new course.

But organisers are hoping positive feedback from the runners and the fact that the event combines with Wycombe Wanderers’ own new kit launch at 1.30pm, where all the League Two club’s players will be in attendance for photographs and autographs, will help propel the race back to its former glory.

Wanderers say there will be a number of activities going on for spectators during the event.

There will also be stadium tours, refreshments and the opportunity to watch the Wimbledon final and British Grand Prix on TV in the bars.

Alfred Benjamin, who misses this year’s race through injury, but had previously taken part in every Wycombe Half Marathon, said: “There used to be 2,500 runners taking part and people couldn’t get in.”

He has backed the changes saying: “The old course had become a bit boring and this one is much more picturesque and it will be brilliant for the runners to finish inside the football stadium.”

But he believes the best way to get participation numbers up again would be to change the date to September.

He said: “Most people are in holiday mode in July.”

Sunday’s race and its 10k partner will begin from the car park at Adams Park at 9.30am.

Runners can enter on the day but are advised to get there early.

There is also a family fun run.
Entry to the  half marathon costs £24 for non affiliated runners in advance or £30 on the day. Half marathon runners must be aged over 17 and finishers will receive a special commemorative medal, t-shirt and goody bag.

For more information visit www.handycrossrunners.co.uk