The Scottish Half Marathon Championships in Inverness, Scotland, confronted a difficult state of affairs when their race medals and T-shirts have been delayed because of the current militant assaults on container ships within the Purple Sea. On the final minute, an area bakery got here to the rescue, supplying the race with greater than 4,000 finisher biscuits.
Candy style of success for @mhairimaac @InvHarriersAAC celebrating a document breaking efficiency right now at #Invernesshalf.
Mhairi took the triple crown additionally taking the title of North District Champion 2024.@HarryGowBakery @scotathletics pic.twitter.com/iuxW09UnnC— Inverness Half & 5K (@NessHalfMar) March 10, 2024
In a social media put up on Feb. 27, the race stated: “As a result of unexpected transport delays ensuing from Houthi insurgent assaults on container ships within the Purple Sea, we remorse to tell you that finisher medals and half-marathon finisher T-shirts won’t be out there on the end line on March 10.” The assaults within the Center East had prompted main transport corporations to reroute their container ships round South Africa, delaying the cargo containing the race’s T-shirts and medals.
This 12 months’s race boasted document numbers, promoting out with a complete of 4,240 individuals throughout the half-marathon and 5K distances. With no finisher medals, and with the race dealing with the uncertainty of what to offer athletes, Harry Gow Bakery in Inverness stepped up to make sure each runner skilled the candy style of success upon crossing the end line.
“We’re thrilled to supply one thing distinctive to the Inverness Half Marathon and 5K this 12 months with our commemorative biscuits,” stated Fraser Gow, the director of Harry Gow Bakery. “The biscuits have been specifically crafted to mirror the medal design with the occasion brand.”
Whereas race organizers count on the medals and T-shirts to succeed in every finisher by the tip of March, many runners expressed satisfaction with the choice. “It’s precisely what we wanted after finishing the race,” one participant wrote on Fb. “It’s as satisfying as a conventional medal. Perhaps subsequent time we’ll have edible T-shirts,” one other participant joked.
A number of finishers additionally stated they hoped to see the ending biscuits return subsequent 12 months. Regardless, this initiative serves as glorious PR and advertising for the native bakery.
