Postal strike throws marathon organisers into a panic

By Will Davies

Chaos has been narrowly avoided in the lead-up to this Sunday’s Henley Half Marathon after hundreds of entry packs were held in limbo during this week’s postal strike.
Over 1,100 entry packs containing race numbers with safety clips and the crucial chip which attaches to the shoe to time each individual runner, were posted to entrants last week, but it soon became apparent that many would not arrive in time.

Race organisers, Henley Bridge Rotary Club, have been forced to invalidate the chips and reissue new entry packs at a cost of £3,000, which will be borne by the many charities that benefit from race proceeds.

“The RNLI receives 25 per cent of the profits, so they will be most affected,” said race organiser Ian McGaw. The remaining 75 per cent is distributed to a handful of worthy causes selected by Henley Bridge Rotary members, including the Chiltern Centre for Disabled Children, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Sebastian’s Action Trust for handicapped children.

Rotary members and friends rallied round to implement a contingency plan on Thursday evening, with a 30-strong team assembled at the home of Henley Hawks rugby club, Dry Leas, to put together the new packs. Organisers are expecting upwards of 2,500 runners. Mr. McGaw added: “This shows Rotary at its best. It’s great to see such camaraderie and broad sense of community spirit.

“A lot of people have been phoning and emailing in a panic. We have put advice on our website and sent an email to every runner, but not everyone gave an email address when they registered. The ironic part is that everyone will receive their pack eventually.

“If your chip arrives before the race, we ask that people bring it along and deposit it in the containers at the entrance to the blue room on Sunday, as we can send them back and get a 30p refund for each chip.”
Race packs containing replacement chips will be available for every entrant on the morning of the race between 8 a.m. and 9.15 a.m.