HUNDREDS of runners have been left disappointed after Bolton’s community half marathon was cancelled at just two weeks’ notice.

Organisers say that the run, which was due to take place on September 10, has been called off due to ‘escalating costs’ that meant the event was no longer financially viable.

More than 700 competitors took part in the event last year and 650 people had signed up this time.

The race organisers have previously stated that they would bring back a full marathon to Bolton for the first time in 30 years if more than 1,200 people signed up to this race.

Stewart Jones, of organisers Mad Bull Events, said: “The run has had to be cancelled due to escalating costs.

“Putting the road closures and diversions in place was going to be more expensive this year.

“We got the costings on Friday afternoon and it was a lot more than we were originally quoted.

“Unfortunately, it is just not viable.”

The half marathon was held for the first time last year and proved a big hit with the athletes who set off from Le Mans Crescent in the town centre and took in Chorley New Road, Lostock and Westhoughton.

Mr Jones added: “We were due to have 650 people taking part, which is slightly down on last year so we didn’t have as much money from entry fees.

“I have emailed all of the competitors and affected businesses to let them know that it is not going ahead. Entrants will get a full refund.

“We broke even last year and that was considered a success. But if it went ahead this year then we would be out of pocket by a significant amount.”

Competitors have also been given the option of taking part in the Rivington Half Marathon instead.

That race, which starts at Rivington and Blackrod School, is due to be held on Saturday, October 7.

Amin Uddin, aged 36, is unsure what to do with the sponsorship money he has raised for the race.

He said: "I had never trained or gone to the gym before, but I wanted to do this run and raise money for Bolton Hospice.

"Hundreds of people will have prepared for this race and raised a lot of money.

"I am sure they would have been willing to contribute a little bit more as an entry fee to make sure it went ahead.

"Now it feels like everything I have done has been for nothing.

"It is bad for us and bad for Bolton."

Bolton Council says that its charges for facilitating road closures are not responsible for the cancellation of the race.

A council spokesman said: “Our cost for facilitating road closures is around £1,000 and has only risen by inflation since last year. This is the only charge from the council for the event.

“We have been working with the organisers for several months to enable the half marathon to take place and we are sorry to hear that they have cancelled this event.”

Bolton had a full 26-mile road marathon between 1981 and 1987, when between 8,000 and 11,000 people from all over the world ran and tens of thousands of people lined the streets.