Basildon's popular half-marathon has been cancelled this year after its disgruntled major sponsors pulled out, it has been revealed.

The race - which attracts around 400 runners - was planned for August 27, but will now not happen until April 1, 2001.

The delay comes amid accusations by main sponsor Club Kingswood that organisers have failed to advertise the event widely enough and encourage other sponsorship support.

The health club's concerns were detailed in a letter from Georgina Jupp to Kerry Davidson, chairman of the event.

It states: "It is with great disappointment that Club Kingswood has reached the decision to cease our involvement with the Basildon Half Marathon in August this year.

"Following your non-attendance at the meeting you personally organised and subsequent lack of contact I feel we have no alternative.

"All in all at this stage we would have expected our key concerns to be agreed and finalised.

"I would also like to point out how over the last two to three years we have made a real and determined effort to be actively involved in local community events, raising significant sums for charity.

"We are therefore even more disappointed to have to pull out, but feel we cannot risk all our hard work and reputation on an event that clearly needs a more professional outlook."

Kerry Davison said the organising committee was stunned by the accusations in the letter.

She said: "They made eight complaints in total which we answered. As for my non-attendance, I was dealing with a serious family illness at the time, followed by my own hospitalisation for an operation."

By Carl Eve

Reporter's e-mail: carl.eve@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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