MARATHON talks are expected in a race to save Liverpool's 26-mile run after organiser Alan Rothwell cancelled this year's event.
Rothwell, of organisers Btr Liverpool pulled the plug on Friday after being told by Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson's office that the city's historic waterfront could not be closed for the day.
'I spent hours at the weekend working on
a way of accomodating the needs of both the city centre and the marathon, and the suggestion I have submitted will work' - organiser Alan Rothwell
Instead the council suggested starting the marathon in Liverpool with a finishing line in Wirral.
Btr rejected that idea and insisted if the event couldn't finish against the waterfront backdrop it wouldn't go ahead.
Rothwell said he suspected pressure from Liverpool ONE and city centre traders opposed to a lengthy closure because of the impact it has on trade.
So today he sent an alternative plan to Mayor Anderson which would close just one side of the Strand, the docks side, allowing access to the Liverpool One car parks at all times.
The Liverpool Marathon was revived two years ago and attracts around 4,500 runners.
Rothwell, a veteran of 22 London and six New York marathons said: “The most successful and sustainable events are those finishing in an urban setting. They attract huge crowds.
"The old marathon started and finished in Woolton but things have moved on since then.
"To make the event commercially viable we need a city centre finishing line. If the city council sticks to its guns we'll just walk away from it.
"I spent hours at the weekend working on a way of accomodating the needs of both the city centre and the marathon, and the suggestion I have submitted will work.
The Liverpool Marathon was relaunched two years ago
"I carefully looked at every option. When we met the council last week it seemed their option of a finish in Wirral was non-negotiable. We organise the Santa Dash and the 10K run in the city centre without problems."
Rothwell said the lack of enough road space in Liverpool was one of the issues for a marathon organiser.
“It is hard to find a 26-mile route in the city which is why we start in Wirral and use the tunnel. In the past there was a shorter circuit that was run twice but that proved unpopular.”
Last week Rothwell met Mayor Anderson and Culture cabinet member Cllr Wendy Simon and the idea of a Wirral finish was put to him.
It was followed soon after by Btr announcing the cancellation of the event.
Today Btr carried an update on its website saying: “Following the news on Friday regarding the marathon and the further press coverage, a review of the marathon course along the waterfront roads has been forwarded to Liverpool City Council for their consideration.
"This is in response to the suggestion late on Friday from Mayor Joe Anderson that the situation should be reviewed. It is hoped the proposal will still allow the use of the waterfront roads in a similar fashion to last year and deliver a finish at the Pier Head which had earlier been ruled out. Further discussions are expected on Monday to try to resolve the difficult task of waterfront road management."
However it seems Liverpool City Council will be sticking to its guns and ruling out a waterfront finish. Sources at the council say comments from Liverpool One as well as city centre traders and residents, were influential in the decision.
The view is Sunday has now become an important trading day for the city and the potential loss of trade by the closures needed for a marathon does not stack up. The Liverpool Marathon does not attract major international competitors like the London and Great North Run races, so is not seen as a major publicity coup for Liverpool.
A City Council spokesman said this afternoon: “We are look at any alternative proposals. But following feedback from traders and residents we are of the view a start in Liverpool and a finish in Wirral is the best solution.”
