The Aon Mullingar Half Marathon is going virtual

Like many other high profile races this year the Aon Mullingar Half Marathon is going virtual.

The organising committee of the popular race, which was originally scheduled to take place on St Patrick's Day but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, can now be run anytime from Sunday September 13 to Sunday September 20. All runners will receive their T-shirts and medals by post.

The organising committee released this statement a short time ago:

"Our committee has come to the realisation over the past few weeks that despite our best intentions it is not possible to host the Aon Mullingar Half Marathon safely on the streets of Mullingar this year.

"But all is not lost… because we have made the decision to convert to a virtual event!!

"A virtual race is a race that can be run (or walked) from any location you choose. You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself. And your medal and race t-shirt will be shipped directly to you.

"Participation in the virtual event will be optional and we will be opening up the options for full or partial refund and deferral to 2021 soon.

"Mullingar Half Marathon is a volunteer-run, fundraising event made possible thanks to the hard work of many volunteers, the support of many generous sponsors and you, the participants.

"It is with great sadness that we make this decision after all the hard work that was put in by so many volunteers to prepare for the 2020 event and the commitment we gave to our charity Team Temporary Emergency Accommodation Midlands (TEAM) but it is a victim of the times we are living in.

"We hope that you will support the virtual race and encourage friends, family and colleagues to challenge themselves to participate in the race to help raise some much needed funds for TEAM.

The virtual race offers an easier route for those lacking confidence or only new to racing in that you can do it on your own, at your own pace, and with the help of your training partners.

"Public health has to take priority and hopefully, we will all be able to meet up next year to run the Aon Mullingar Half Marathon together again.

"For anyone who has applied for a refund already they are currently being processed and will be with you on the coming days.

"Thank you for your continued support and patience," - from everyone involved with the Mullingar Half Marathon