THOUSANDS of people took to the seafront for the Bournemouth Bay Run – but many ended up covering much more ground than planned following ‘confusion over the marshalling’.

More than 3,000 competitors packed Pier Approach in the glorious sunshine ahead of the annual event, which it is hoped will again raise in excess of £70,000 for the British Heart Foundation. 

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It began with the 10k race before the half marathon and fun runs across 1k and 5k. This year’s route was changed – and this seems to have, in part, contributed to those in the 10k race running an additional 3,000 metres.

Nigel Harding, one of the event’s official time keepers, said he was surprised when runners began reaching the finish line 14 minutes later than expected.

“I believe there was a marshal missing and they ran about 13k for the 10k event,” he added.

Competitors told the Echo the problems seem to have stemmed from a missing marshal in the Southbourne area, where instead of being directed back towards Bournemouth, they carried on running towards Hengistbury Head. 

One of those affected, James Sharp, said: “It was a complete joke. It’s been five years since I’ve done the run and the course has changed slightly, but I knew when we were going towards Hengistbury Head that there was no way that was right – I thought we’d joined the half marathon.

“Everyone doing the 10k is going to have prepared a lot for this. How hard can it be to get something as simple as this right?”

And 32-year-old Matt Richards, running for the Littledown Harriers, added: “I was going for a personal best, it was meant to be a league event, but now the times are worthless and I’m a bit disappointed with the whole organisation. It’s added 20 odd minutes to my time.”

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However, most people seemed to be enjoying the day and to have the opportunity to take in the stunning coastal scenery as they ran.

Steve Imm, 39, said: “I just do it for the pure enjoyment factor. It’s a great way to keep fit and it makes it even better when you can do it in a beautiful place like this.”

Jon Weaver, Bournemouth council’s head of resort marketing and events, apologised for the marshalling mistake, which is believed to have affected between 100 and 200 runners.

“There was some confusion with a marshal in the 10k and it led to some runners going further,” he added.

“It is the first time something like this has happened in 33 years. That aside it was a really good atmosphere and people really enjoyed it.

“The most important thing is the thousands of pounds we are going to raise for the charity.”

Anybody affected by the marshalling error in the 10k race should email events@bournemouth.gov.uk or call 01202 451718.