One of the biggest events in the Stewartry’s sporting calendar will be going ahead this year.
There had been concerns that Kirkcudbright’s half marathon would be cancelled after the academy opted out of organising it.
But it has now been taken on by the town’s summer festivities group and Rotary clubs.
It will take place over a new course along with the Buckland Burn Up five-mile race on Saturday, May 27.
Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities chairman John Blaikie said: “The academy said they weren’t going to do it and we didn’t think it was something we could do as we’ve not got the skills, a licence or race officials.
“Then we thought it doesn’t have to be licensed, we could still run a half marathon, so that’s what we’re doing.
“People say we don’t have a lot of time but we’ve hit the ground running and we’re ticking as many boxes as we can.
“The new route will be totally different. It’s not on any of the old roads at all.
“Part of it will be on the Buckland Burn Up route and it will head out of town to Townhead, Dromore and Whinnieliggate and back in.
“I think it’s maybe even more scenic than the old route. It might be a bit more up and down, but it looks good.
“Rotary are going to marshal it like they did with the half marathon.
“It will be the same day as the Buckland and they will both start and finish from High Park.”
The Kirkcudbright Academy Half Marathon was first held in 1983 and has only been postponed in years affected by foot-and-mouth and coronavirus.
In recent years it was joined by a 10k Beeches run but that has been replaced by the Buckland race.
John added: “It’s the 40th anniversary and Harry Marland, who came up with the idea 40 years ago, was chairman of the festivities which is another reason we wanted to do it.
“It will be a family day with entertainment and a kids runs.”
