Swindon Half Marathon has been cancelled, British Heart Foundation announced today.

In a statement on its website it said: "We will no longer be running the Swindon Half Marathon. We will get in contact with those already registered to arrange a refund.

"Further information will be made available on the event shortly."

Alistair Hills, from BHF, told the BBC it could not run the race as it was "vital" its events were profitable.

He said: "As a charity we need to be extremely shrewd where we allocate our funds to maximise fundraising.

"The high costs of running this event means it is no longer a sound investment for the BHF."

Runners who had signed up to the 2015 event are to be contacted directly and offered a refund or entry into another BHF event.

The charity took over the event from Swindon Borough Council two years ago and last year it attracted more than 1,500 runners with an estimated £100,000 being raised.

At the time the organisers stated that it was a record breaker.

This year's event was due to take place on Sunday, October 11. 

Coun Stan Pajak (Lib, Eastcott), who takes on the 13-mile course each year, said: “This has come as a complete shock as the half-marathon is the most important event on the Swindon running calendar.

"We’ve seen over the years that there is huge support for the event and we have just about enough time to make sure it takes place.

“There is an established route in place and it would be great if a charity could come forward and take it on as it would raise much-needed funds and their profile.

“I’m surprised it has come to an end as the profile of running in Swindon is only increasing.”

Swindon Advertiser:

  • Part of the British Heart Foundation's website today

Supporters of the half-marathon, which has been going for 10 years, are hoping that another charity and organisation will save the event.

CIf the half marathon doesn’t go ahead many charities from across the town are expected to suffer. As every runner paid an admission fee which went to BHF but they were encouraged to raise sponsorship for other individual good causes.

Several people took to social media to air their disappointment.

Runner Gary O’Brien said: “As a former winner, it's a sad day as BHF pull the plug on the Swindon Half Marathon.”

Until 2011 the event was organised by Swindon Council, being sponsored by Nationwide, with BHF then taking full responsibility.