Taking part in a half marathon can be tough enough - but when 200 extra metres are added on it can be even harder!
Runners who took part in the Guild half marathon on Sunday were forced to run a bit further following a blunder with a cone marking the ‘turning back point’.
Thousands of people descended on the city to take part in either the Guild Marathon or half marathon.
The Guild marathon was a 26.2 mile route and the half marathon was a 13.1 mile route.
The distance of the half marathon was bumped up a bit after the turn around point was moved by approximately 100 metres - meaning an extra 200 metres on the route.
Head of Preston Guild Community programme, Phil Walsh said: “There was a turnaround point and at that turn around point it was very clearly marked by signage and marking on the road.
“That cone that marked the turnaround point was moved another 100 metres up the road.”
Mr Walsh confirmed the council is looking into how the cone came to be moved and said it may be down to the traffic management company. He described the situation as “unfortunate.”
He added, however, that the council has received huge positive feedback about what a fantastic event it was, with people calling for it to be an annual event hosted in the city.
Both of the routes were measured and certified by UKA (UK Athletics). Brian Porter from UKA said that the distance run is still within international regulations.
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