The race that was never run, the medal that was never won! - 30 May 2001
The Yellow Pages Reading Half Marathon 2001 has officially been brought to a close. A specially commissioned presentation case including a trophy and medal was hung at the Rivermead Leisure Centre as a permanent reminder of the race that was never run. Yell, formerly the Yellow Pages Group, presented this case to the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Bob Green. Around 8,000 medals were ordered for the 2001 race, which was cancelled due to the foot & mouth crisis. The only medal delivered to Reading was the original proof, which is now being kept at Rivermead, the start and finishing point of the Half Marathon.
Richard Duggleby, Head of External Relations for Yell, said ' We hope that this will be seen as a reminder of the hard work and effort put into the race by runners and organisers. It was right that this solo medal should form part of the reminder.'
This year's race had attracted more than7,500 entrants, the largest race field to date. The race is a major fixture in the sporting calendar and was supported this year by Olympic Gold Medallist, Stephanie Cook and
Para-lympian Tanni Gray-Thompson, who was to take part in the race. The race was also to have been the Amateur Athletic Association of England's Half Marathon Championship race. The wheelchair race had also been adopted as the British Wheelchair Racing Association of Racing's Grand Prix Championship race 2001. This would have been first time the race had played host to both championships.
