ORGANISERS have blamed the closure of the Play Drome for the cancellation of Clydebank’s half marathon.

The Dunbartonshire Amateur Athletics Association took to social media last week to warn runners the March 12 event would no longer be taking place.

The statement read: “We regret to advise that the Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon will not be held in 2017.

“The Play Drome is closing at the end of February and with the new Clydebank Leisure Centre not opening until an unspecified date in April or May we are unable to plan for the event until the centre is open. Realistically the race could not be held until the summer with uncertain entry levels due to the congested summer fixture list. Accordingly the Dunbartonshire AAA have taken the decision to cancel this year’s race. The date fixed for the 2018 race is Sunday, March 11.”

A member of the club told the Post, the venue was a crucial part of the run as it “provided changing, toilets, showers, prize presentation and a base for officials to work out the results”.

The group said it had considered having the race begin in Clydebank and end in Balloch to solve the issue but there was concern about the busy junctions running through the town at the beginning of the event.

However, a spokesman for West Dunbartonshire Leisure said the organisers failed to approach them with concerns of the closure, meaning they were unable to discuss alternative arrangements.

He said: “We are sorry to hear that this year’s Balloch to Clydebank Half-Marathon has been cancelled. We were not contacted by the race organisers. Had we been approached, we could have looked at alternative arrangements for the club. We look forward to seeing the event back in 2018 and would encourage the club to get in touch if they need assistance.”