MOKRUN cancelled for second successive year
Organisers decide on virtual 2021 event
Organisers of the annual Mull of Kintyre 10K and Half Marathon (MOKRUN) have been forced to cancel the event - the biggest in Kintyre’s sporting calendar - for the second year in a row.
The annual race, which takes place in May, had to be cancelled completely last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Organisers had hoped restrictions would be lifted in time for this year’s event to take place on the weekend of May 29 and 30 but released a statement last week to say it would not go ahead in the usual format.
Race director Gail Williams said: ‘It is with deep regret we have to announce that MOKRUN 2021 will not go ahead as a live event.
‘Never in our wildest imagination did we think this would happen, however, as you will all appreciate this is simply beyond our control.
‘Despite some encouraging news recently, regarding potential lifting of lockdown measures, we feel there would be too many constraints to go ahead this year, which would take away from the overall enjoyment of the event.
‘Although our race was not due to take place until May, there are many things behind the scenes which have to be organised, all of which take time, and in such challenging circumstances, really left us no choice.
‘We would like to thank all of our supporters for your continued patience whilst the committee deliberated over this.’
The race is not cancelled completely this year, however, with a virtual race set to take place instead.
This is expected to involve participants completing a 10K or half-marathon distance individually, within their home area, between two given dates.
They would be required to submit proof of their run before being sent a famous MOKRUN t-shirt and medal.
Gail has asked people to be patient while the details are finalised and said that participants should receive an email with more information soon.
She said: ‘If we could please ask that everyone bears with us a little longer whilst we finalise details for MOKRUN 2021 – virtual edition.
‘Information will be provided in due course, by email via EntryCentral, to all participants who had secured a place.
‘Unfortunately, there will be no additional entries for the virtual race.’
There will also be a virtual junior race, called MOK Junior Race for Miles, with a choice of two distances – one mile or five kilometres.
With 200 places up for grabs, the event will open on EntryCentral’s website – www. entrycentral.com – tomorrow, Saturday March 13.
All junior finishers will also receive an official MOKRUN t-shirt and a medal on completion of their chosen distance.
Gail added: ‘Please keep an eye on the @mokrun Facebook page for updates regarding the virtual events.
‘We can’t wait to welcome everyone back in 2022.’