RACE organisers who refused to refund competitors after they moved the event 25 miles away have finally coughed up – after the Record stepped in.
Athletes looking forward to next month’s Glasgow Wineathon were left stunned when the 10k race was shifted to Stirling after Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board objected to it being hosted on their patch.
Angry participants only found out about the move of venue this week – leaving them facing at least a 50-mile round trip.
It had been advertised as the Glasgow Wineathon since January – and was still being called that on the official website today – despite the move to a different city.
Participants of the wacky race are given glasses of wine at various stops around the course.
The main complaint about the change of venue was that people would be unfit to drive home after downing wine – and so would have to rely on various forms of public transport to get to and from the event.
Scores of people contacted the Record after they were refused refunds by organisers, Yorkshire-based Team OA, who changed the venue at short-notice.
It takes place next month, and has now been partially re-branded as ‘Wineathon Scotland’.
Those who contacted Team OA were refused refunds until after we stepped in.
Despite not replying to emails or calls from Record reporters, Team OA have now offered to hand back entry fees to those who cannot make it to Stirling.
Fiona Rennie, who was looking forward to taking part with her pals until she found about the change of venue said: “In amongst my training for a marathon I thought this would be a great fun event and the best thing about it was it’s being held in my home city of Glasgow. I thought it was a great idea since I’ve ran races in France before where they give out local wine samples.
“I found out this week that the event has now been moved to a completely different city – Stirling. I received an email at the end of July from the organisers which still referred to the event being held in Glasgow.
“This company took £19.95 from my account on January 11, and I want it back. I can no longer attend this event because it’s in Stirling. That’s a 50-mile round journey for me by car or two train journeys. I can’t drive because I’ll be sampling wine and won’t be taking the train either.”
Fiona was refused a refund earlier this week, but since we contacted Team OA, they have no relented, and have told her she will get her cash back within 10 days.
She added: “I was quite taken aback as to their response to my refund request and believe I’m quite within my rights to be refunded.
“But it now looks like thanks to the Record’s intervention people will get their money back.”
Team OA, who also run a Chocathlon and a Pieathon, didn’t respond to our numerous requests for a comment.
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