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New half marathon event planned by Merton Council

Harrison GallivenLocal Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS)
News imageGetty Images A group of runners running through a parkGetty Images
The race will open next spring and will eventually grow to host 20,000 entrants

A south-west London council is set to launch its first-ever half marathon next spring as part of its bid to become the capital's most active and inclusive borough.

Merton Council will spend £220,000 to launch the event, but estimates it will generate £600,000 profit, rising to £1.4m by the third year and will support up to 49 local jobs, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Leader of Merton Council Ross Garrod hopes the race will become "south London's biggest running event" and attract runners from across London, Surrey and beyond.

The route, which has not yet been finalised, is set to go through Morden, Mitcham and Wimbledon, and past landmarks like the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

News imageTara O'Connor The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon Village Tara O'Connor
Runners will pass the home of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships

The council aims to emulate the success of similar closed-road races in Hackney and Greenwich, which sell out quickly and generate millions in fundraising.

An independent economic impact study has also forecast an annual economic boost of up to £1.7 million to local businesses.

Merton Council say they hope to stage the event annually in partnership with the Great Run Company, increasing the number of participants from 9,000 in its first year to 20,000 by its third year.

In a report outlining the proposals, which are due to be approved by the council's cabinet next week, the council said: "There is currently no mass-participation, closed-road half marathon in south-west London, despite a large running community that extends into the Home Counties."

London Youth Games competitor and keen runner Pancho Pavez, 18, described Merton as "the perfect location".

"Beautiful hills and undulations, multiple sports areas of international interest, and well kept roads, it will make for a fantastic event," he said.

The event will include a free 5km community run and a schools challenge, with pupils running a mile a week in the build up to the race.

Where possible, the route will avoid major Transport for London corridors where possible, and the council has promised to manage bus rerouting and mitigate traffic impacts from the road closures.

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