A popular Wrexham road race held in memory of a former athlete has been cancelled following a dispute between organisers and Wrexham Council.

Wrexham.com says the Helena Tipping Wrexham 10K was due to take place on Sunday 14 September, starting at the Net World Sports site and finishing at Isycoed Community Centre. This year would have been the 33rd running of the popular event, held in memory of former Wrexham AAC runner Helena Tipping. But this week organisers Run Cheshire told participants the race could not go ahead due to an “ongoing disagreement” with Wrexham Council’s highways department.

A new course would have started at the Net World Sports site and finished at the Isycoed Community Centre, and was due to take place in eleven days time on Sunday 14 September.

Organisers Run Cheshire contacted participants yesterday saying, “We’re really disappointed to tell you that we have had to cancel the Helena Tipping Wrexham 10k due to an ongoing disagreement with Wrexham County Borough Council, specifically the Highways Department.

“In short; we were informed by the authority almost immediately after our Village Bakery Wrexham Half Marathon in February that due to the large number of complaints from the public they could no longer approve road closures.

“Following a number of unanswered emails and eventually a Freedom of Information request we learned that there was in fact just one complaint from the public.

“We have obviously challenged this decision and escalated our case within the authority but they are not budging. We have now ran out of time and have had to make the decision to cancel.”

Refunds are being offered to runners however it appears the issue could affect the Village Bakery Wrexham Half Marathon in February unless resolved, with entries suspended for that event until clarity is gained, with organisers adding: “Again we are sorry that we have had to cancel. We hate having to do this but we have been left with no option”.

(Pic: Yay Images)