The 32nd Blackmore Vale Lions Half Marathon has succumbed to Storm Eowyn and Herminia's ravages. Due to be held on Sunday 2 February 2025, the popular race organised by Blackmore Vale Lions supported by Dorset Doddlers has been postponed: "Due to adverse weather conditions – a new date will be announced shortly", according to an announcement on the race website.

The race starts and finishes in Bishop's Caundle, six miles southeast of Sherborne in Dorset, where the A3030 is blocked by flood water in several places on either side of the village. Race Director, Tim Otter, speaking to local reporters on behalf of the the Blackmore Vale Lions Club, said: "Due to the flooding and waterlogging of the course and infrastructure area at the start and finish I have decided, after consulting with club colleagues, to postpone the race to a date to be confirmed.

"I very much regret to say that, following a survey of the course and the infrastructure this morning, that Blackmore Vale Lions Club have reluctantly come to the conclusion that it would be unsafe to run the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon on 2 February."

Tim Otter explained that further bad weather was forecast, including on race day, and that parking areas were too saturated to support cars, concluding by saying: "Taking everything together, my decision is that it would be unsafe to allow the race to go ahead. I am by nature a risk taker but I am not prepared to put so many of you at risk."

The Blackmore Vale Lions Half Marathon is a Dorset Road Race League event and the winners last year were Tom Hole (Ealing, Southall & Middlesex AC, 1:11:14) and Vicki Ingham (Poole Runners, 1:22:57). There were 328 finishers in 3:32:23.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (pictured above) charity had been selected to receive funds raised by the Blackmore Vale Lions Half Marathon and Fun Run this year.

There is a contact form on the race website for any queries.

Previous results are available at the runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy of Blackmore Vale Lions on Facebook