Sisters run Sheffield race despite water fiasco cancellation

Rachel Jones, of Hollingwood, and her sister, Alison Delaney, from Middlecroft, were among the thousands of runners who still took part in Sunday’s race despite its last-minute cancellation.

Rachel, 32, who thankfully had water in her running belt, said: “It was an absolute shambles.

“Despite everything we had a really good run and the people of Sheffield were very supportive.

“When we set off we had absolutely no idea it had been cancelled until we crossed the finish line.

“It also now makes sense as to why people were outside their houses with bottles filled with water.”

Organisers cancelled the event citing a safety risk and said that a water company did not deliver the required supplies.

In a statement they said: “It is with huge disappointment and regret that we were forced to cancel this year’s race due to a problem with the delivery of water.

“We would like to express our sincerest apologies to everyone involved in the race who will be affected.”

South Yorkshire Police initially tried to set up road blocks to stop the runners who decided to embark on the 13-mile race but eventually gave up and decided it was safer to let them complete the run. Deputy Prime Minister and Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg has called for a “full explanation” of how the “farcical situation” was allowed to happen.