By Sean Hamilton

THE DUNDEE half-marathon yesterday became the latest victim of the recession after organisers announced they were cancelling it due to a lack of sponsorship.

The race—from Camperdown Park to Broughty Ferry—had been scheduled for June 21, but hundreds of participants have now been informed it will no longer go ahead for financial reasons.

Event director Dr John Martindale described the news as “a real disappointment” but held out hope for a possible return in the future.

“It is very disappointing but we’re definitely not closing the door completely on Dundee,” he said.

“We have invested two years in the development of the half-marathon, part of our east coast series along with the Chris Hoy Edinburgh half-marathon, just passed on April 5, and Dunfermline’s Scottish Championship event still ahead of us on May 10.

“If circumstances change for the better, we’ll be back. Dundee City Council has been great to work with.

“They have a highly professional, very supportive team and we have enjoyed working with them. Perhaps we’ll be alongside them again in 2010. Who knows?”

This year’s race would have been the third organised by the Interloq Sports Event Management company in Dundee and the event was growing in popularity.

In 2007 there were 500 entries, 850 last year and 380 people had already signed up for this summer’s race.

However, Dr Martindale said there was considerable competition for sponsorship as the economic recession hits hard in many sectors.

He said, “You cannot blame companies because they are having to cut back to survive.

“The reality is that when businesses are shutting down and people losing jobs, then sponsorship is the last thing on their minds.”

A council spokesman last night expressed disappointment that the event would not take place this year.

He said, “We are disappointed that the organisers have had to cancel, but we understand that there have been sponsorship problems as a result of the economic recession; hopefully they will be in a position to return next year.”

Meanwhile, another events organiser last night stepped in and offered to host a half-marathon on the same day—across the city boundary in Angus.

Nicholas Kydd of Eventfull Management was behind the inaugural Angus HaM half-marathon through villages around Monikie on Sunday.

He said Eventfull would hold the half- marathon on June 21 in Angus if there is enough interest. Anyone keen on taking part should Email half@eventfull.biz.