3 March 2020: Coronavirus
The Mercer Surrey Half Marathon will be going ahead as planned on 8 March 2020. If the Coronavirus situation develops beyond the current “moderate risk” (declared by the UK Chief Medical Officers) to a level where only necessary travel is declared, we will be in touch with all participants via email. We are in regular communication with local authorities and are monitoring the situation.
It is with regret that we recently informed participants that due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the headwraps will not arrive in time for the event on 8 March. Alternative suppliers (UK included) have been unable to guarantee delivery of our tall order in time for race day. We’re sorry for this disappointing news; do dig out your favourite one from a previous Mercer Surrey Half and wrap up warm.
3 March 2020: Storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge
Clay Lane is still partially flooded, please be advised that we have Trackway mats on standby. It is highly unlikely that we will need to change the route.
Due to delivery delays caused by Storm Ciara, Dennis and now Jorge, we regret to inform you that it is unlikely that medals will arrive in time for the Mercer Surrey Half Marathon on 8 March 2020. We sincerely apologise for the impact this may have on your race day experience.
We received confirmation late on Friday 23 February of a further delay to our (already delayed) shipment. Now as of 3 March 2020, all we know is that the medals are due to arrive into the UK at some point on 5 March. Even though they are being treated as a priority package, they will still have to clear various customs checks etc before being sent on to us – this is why we currently understand it to be unlikely that medals will arrive at our shipping address before 8 March.
We thank you for your understanding and patience whilst – with just days to go – we focus our efforts on enhancing the race day experience as much as possible for you. Please rest assured that you won’t go home empty-handed.
– In the absence of medals, medal cut-outs will be given to everyone at the finish line.
– Medal photo booth props have been ordered for your finishers photos.
– 4 medal collection points have been established across Woking and Guildford.
– Complimentary snacks and shakes will be given to you at the finish line.
– With thanks to our partners, you have access to exclusive discounts on massage, medal hangers, snacks and more.
A full explanation with regard to medal production and delivery is detailed below, as well as our initial plans for distributing medals once they arrive.
This post will be continually updated with the latest information regarding medals and linked within any subsequent email / social media communications; so please keep an eye out on our website and other channels for updates. If you need to contact us, you can do so at: hello@aat-events.com.
3 March 2020: Medal Collection Points
When the medals do eventually arrive – in well over double the usual delivery time – they will be available to collect from 4 collection points in Woking and Guildford for at least 1 month. Collection points will include Woking Leisure Centre, Synergy Physiotherapy (Woking & Egham), our office and Fitstuff – all of which we’ve detailed on our map. We will provide an update as to when they can be collected (in person or via a friend, family member etc) as soon as we receive the medals. If you need to contact us for any reason, email us at: hello@aat-events.com.
If you’re an international entrant, you can expect to receive your medal in the post.
If you regularly run with us, know that you will also be able to collect them from any of our other Spring / Summer events.
If you ordered an iTab, you will receive your medal and iTab together by post.
Once again we sincerely apologise for this disappointing news and thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to rectify this situation within the next few days.
3 March 2020: Medal Production / Delivery Timeline
The medal production process started in December 2019 and was due to be completed as usual within 14 days. In this instance, the timing of the Coronavirus outbreak proved to be particularly unfortunate; the closure of the factory (mid-production) in January 2020 delayed the completion date for the medals and thus the date of dispatch.
Even with the delayed dispatch, the medals were due to arrive weeks before the event via express delivery. Unfortunately though, storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge followed in quick succession throughout February – and this is ultimately what has caused repeated and severe delays to the delivery.
We have investigated a number of alternative options but so far none have proven fruitful; suppliers are facing the same challenges with regards to producing a high volume order within a short time scale and guaranteeing delivery – all whilst managing ongoing disruption to their businesses. We are still yet to receive absolute confirmation that the medals will not arrive by 8 March, all we know at this stage is that it’s looking unlikely.
We assure you that we are committed to delivering the best experience possible for our runners and have been doing everything we can throughout the last couple of months to get the medals in time for race day. Faced with a combination of factors that are beyond our control, regrettably, we can only apologise for not being able to deliver a solution in time and the disappointment this may cause.
