Liverpool Marathon 2013

Alan, following this thread with a bit of interest but too far away from Liverpool to know what's going on.  Have LCC come up with alternative routes so that the race can finish somewhere in town (Strand always struck me as as good a place as any to finish) or do they want to re-route it to Sefton Park or elsewhere?

I'd love to say that I can't fathom the response of LCC but a lifetime's experience of that shower (regardless of which political party is in the Town Hall) tends to demonstrate that they can grasp a defeat from the jaws of victory regularly.

Almost a week later and no response from anyone from LCC about anything, this despite me submitting a Plan B last Sunday identifying how the Strand can be used without 'inconveniencing' access to the Liverpool ONE car park.

Does suggest how little they want want this event. No attempt to reslove the 'problems' regarding the use of the Strand although I hav done it for them.

Alan, Did they ever go into specifics about exactly who was supposed to be so put out in the first place by the event ? To a mere human the idea of providing a crowd of thousands with money to spend on a Sunday would be thought of as quite good. Those travelling a distance will use hotels and restaurants the night before......Even on the day the spectators will eat, drink and park cars etc etc. You tell me how busy Merseyrail is on a normal Sunday morning compared to marathon day....It seems LCC want everyone to turn up, leave the money then p*** off to the Wirral early enough so nobody this side is inconvenienced. Grumble grumble but still hopeful

Cidermonkey - a perfectly logical and correct observation... and no! No explanation as to WHY the waterfront roads could not be closed for the required marathon duration was given.

Neither was there any contact or dialogue about this road use 'issue' over the three month period between the 2012 event and the LCC imposition of e revers route decision last Wednesday. We have not been consulted at any time. 

I for one don't want to finish on the Wirral (nothing personal to the leisure peninsular) Still plenty of time for them to see sense, but the worry is that if it drags out people will drift elsewhere.

Just a throway thought. If the city want the route reversed then it would still  use the roads but clear them earlier. What if the course was starting from Birkenhead as is but after Sefton park in Liverpool, it were to go into town along the water front as the half marathon does finishing at say Kings Dock with a tweak or 2 thus opening the city cenre roads earlier ?

Nice one ! Must have the tunnel exit plus drums.....Seems this is almost universally thought to be the DB's. I don't have a huge preference for a finish on the Strand, and Kings Dock would be a compromise worth having. The water front from the prom is still a big draw, and the finish would be running towards the Liver Building, Finishing within sight I think would tick the grandstand finish seekers....What you have to remember though in there's a bloke who sells ice cream by the end of Jericho Lane and the council might object.....

DH4 - all of this has been considered over the last two years. Keep in mind there is nothing wrong with the course we have in place.

Use of the promenade in the context of a marathon is difficult from a safety perspective as there is restricted vehicle access for first aid. it would also be the last 5 miles of the marathon - notwithstanding the fact that it would be impossible to Jericho Lane for any length of time.

Trust me, whatever you think will work we have already assessed - and it won't work for one reason or another.

I just find it amazing the short-sightedness to LCC and catering for its waterfront businesses.

Take the event as a whole, inevitably it will inconvenience many, but it will benefit many more

Can you imagine the London Marathon being cancelled because it affected trade in certain areas?

Surely to god the sheer foot traffic of random spectators, never mind family and friends and participants, gives any city's finances a huge shot in the arm when an event of this magnitude takes place.

Frankly ridiculous...

A confirmed £1.4 million economic benefit to the city identified in the first year. Clearly didn't go into the correct tills as it has largely been overlooked. Seems the suggestion of lost income due to the marathon is only of relevance depending on geographical location.

Alan, have you thought to re-submit your Plan B at a time when people are in the office to receive it? It's possible that it's not reached the right desk as it was a weekend?

It has been received. I requested confirmation of receipt on Monday.

And STILL no contact from them... staggering... and yet they profess to want to 'work with BTR Liverpool to resolve the matter'. Unbelievable.

In their eyes it maybe 8 months away, but we as runners need to plan training,maybe around other events we want or need to participate in and book accommodation. That 8 months will soon disappear. Liverpool council need to communicate quickly or this marathon that brings over a million pounds into the economy of Liverpool will be lost. Chester are on a win win with this as it stands.

Alan,  I really do admire your perseverance.

PS I'm hanging back on Chester.

hang in there Alan, i think u have a lot of support and people can see the hard work that u put in

perhaps u can get a little possey and storm the council building  demand some answers

I still cant believe that there are complaints about loss of trade, were those retailers complaining not in Liverpool for the last 2 marathons!!! I still cant get over the fact that it took us ages to get food as the restaurants were rammed!!! It surely is never that busy on a sat night in October!!!

Judith, thats precisely the point I'm making, the council see it as a long time away, and they have things more pressing to deal with. To get this moving the onus is on the Organisers to progress this or it will not happen.

and Mrs 3medals are you coming doing Manchester?

LIVERPOOL MARATHON CANCELLATION CONFIRMED. Further to my latest proposal to Liverpool City Council which introduced an element of (simple) revision to the use of the waterfront roads AND allowed access to the Liverpool ONE car park I have been advised that LCC is unable to 'accept my offer'.

No explanation, no dialogue or discussion. Just no.

Despite the claims of Mayor Anderson last week that discussion would continue I can confrm that has been none.

Consequently I will launch the 1st Wirral Half Marathon and 10K shortly (to be hosted on marathon day, Sunday 13th October) now that LCC have finally  declined (without explanation) the marathon the running community deserves.

Sorry to one and all but I really couldn't have done any more and I shall prepare a full report about LCC involvement in this event going back to 2006. It will make for compelling reading after which you will wonder how we have any running events in the city. It's an absolute disgrace.