Inverness Half Marathon organisers defend green credentials after medals delay caused by Red Sea shipping raids by Houthi rebels
Organisers of the Inverness Half Marathon and 5K are vowing to review their supply chain after Red Sea raids by Houthi rebels left race competitors facing a delay in receiving medals.
Some 4240 runners have entered the sell-out 2024 edition of the event, now in its 39th year, on Sunday, March 10.
But for the first time, those crossing the finish line will not immediately be handed a medal and commemorative T-shirt.
RELATED STORY: Houthi attacks mean no medals or T-shirts at finish of Inverness Half Marathon
Instead, the items will be posted to all finishers in the days following the race.
Container ships, many from China, have been targeted by the Iranian-backed militants and major shipping companies have diverted vessels around the coast of South Africa for fear of further attacks.
In November last year, the Houthis hijacked a commercial ship in the Red Sea and have since attacked other vessels.
Caledonian Concepts, which runs the half marathon, Etape Loch Ness and the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running, has faced social media criticism since notifying runners of the problem.
Much of it has focused on the environmental cost of shipping items huge distances.
But organisers defended their green credentials and stressed that almost two-thirds of its suppliers were based in the Highlands.
Malcolm Sutherland, event director of the Inverness Half Marathon and 5K, said: “Caledonian Concepts, along with organisers of many other iconic sporting events in Scotland and the UK, has an established relationship with a supplier based in Scotland, who specialises in sports merchandise.
“The medals and T-shirts for the Inverness Half Marathon and 5K were ordered in November 2023.
“Unfortunately, this year, despite the best efforts of everybody involved, our shipment with the medals and T-shirts has been delayed. The global supply chain continues to face challenges due to ongoing conflict in the Red Sea.
“As a result, our shipment, originally due to arrive in Southampton on February 10, then rescheduled to February 26, will now not arrive in time for the event.
“This is obviously very disappointing for all our runners taking part and for us as organisers. This has never happened in the history of the event.”
Caledonian Concepts wouldn’t reveal the financial hit it would take from the huge logistical effort of posting out thousands of medals and T-shirts and couldn’t say how long a wait competitors might face.
Mr Sutherland stressed: “We are committed to ensuring that the T-shirts and medals are posted out as soon as possible following the event.
“We constantly review our supply chain and have investigated ways of sourcing our medals and T-shirts from Scottish manufacturers.
“We operate a competitive quote process and we are always keen to work with new suppliers.
“The Inverness Half Marathon started in 1985. Caledonian Concepts has been organising the event since 2011 and this is the first time in 13 years of putting on the Inverness Half Marathon and 5K that we have experienced this issue with our supply chain.
“We will of course look at all available options again as part of our ongoing review process.
“The Inverness Half Marathon and 5K does support the local economy in a great number of ways, which we are very proud of.
“We always strive to increase this each year. 63 per cent of our suppliers are based in the Highlands and 17 per cent in the rest of Scotland. 58 per cent of runners are coming from outside the Highlands. These participants spend money on accommodation, cafés and restaurants and other visitor attractions.
“The event has raised a significant amount of money for charity over the years with tens of thousands raised annually for charities in the Highlands and Scotland.”
Criticism of the organisers on social media was almost entirely focused on the fact the medals and T-shirts were imported from overseas.
Maria Heath responded: “How come these are bought from abroad? What’s wrong with keeping it local and reducing the carbon footprint?"
Craig Stokes said: “Should have bought local. Some carbon footprint for those T-shirts and medals, never mind the disappointment for the runners expecting to get that hard-earned medal at the finish!”
And Elinor Lee added: “Ridiculous journey for medals and T-shirts. Give work to locals and save the planet. Not very green!”
