LAST weekend’s Fleetwood Half Marathon, which featured a number of Airecentre Pacers, descended into farce as marshalling errors sent a large number of athletes on an extra few miles before they crossed the finish line.

Laughing, club photographer Philip Bland hailed the unexpected multi-distance event as: “A new concept in racing. Run any route and distance you like.”

Richard Walker was 49th overall, despite having raced two miles further than many athletes in the top 50. Margaret Britton also crossed the line having run more than the measured half marathon.

Carole Keighley showed a keener eye for the route and recorded the Pacers only actual half marathon time in two hours, two minutes and 44 seconds.

Meanwhile, Amanda Connolly crossed the line having run an unspecified distance, but certainly more than 13.1 miles, only to find out she had been missed from the results altogether.

All athletes have been offered a place in next year’s event by way of apology.