Sports events company, Run Afan Forest, has received criticism from runners who claim the company did not offer refunds when it cancelled several sporting events at short notice. The company had been set up following the liquidation of sister company Tough Runner UK. Director of the company, Adam Newton, responded to claims that the company failed to offer refunds saying that all affected parties were offered race credits and that “nobody should feel let down.”
Ruth Heavyside from Cardiff, one of the affected runners, booked the Buff Epic Trail 10K which was due to take place in Afan Forest Country Park. Since last year, she had heard running friends say they had been “messed about” by Run Afan Forest, with some stating that their event dates were changed, and others finding no water at a half marathon event they attended. Heavyside entered the race for £22 during a bank holiday sale in May, which was due to include a free water bottle or running cap that she did not receive.
Gareth Rees, from Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, spent £75 on two places at Run Afan Forest’s Pembrokeshire Trail Half Marathon scheduled for May 2024. He had booked the event, to be held at Canaston Woods, Narberth, as a surprise for his wife but became concerned about the lack of communication from the company. Red flags were raised when members of his triathlon club, Tenby Aces, posted on social media about not hearing anything from the company ahead of events that weekend.
Welsh Triathlon, Triathlon England and Triathlon Scotland announced last week in a joint statement that Run Afan Forest would no longer receive event permits, stating that “the decision follows the failure of the event organiser to meet the terms and conditions required to issue event permits.” On Tuesday, Welsh Athletics announced that the company had been suspended from delivering Welsh Athletics licenced events adding that “the decision will allow Welsh Athletics to undertake a review into the competition provider”.
Despite the cancellation of Run Afan Forest’s organised events, the company is still considering “all avenues of how we could still deliver the event.” The company’s races had been booked by participants through a platform called Let’s Do This. Mr Newton said his company was working with the platform to offer affected customers a credit that can be used for any event listed on their website, adding, “this way, you can still make the most out of your booking and find an alternative event that suits your preferences.
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