Twitter storm after charity runner told to quit road race

A charity runner was pulled from a 20 mile race - because she was too slow.
Runners at the Spen 20 in 2011.Runners at the Spen 20 in 2011.
Runners at the Spen 20 in 2011.

Netty Edwards, 46, took to social media to vent her anger after being told that she was “far too slow” to complete the Spen 20 road race in Liversedge.

The runner claims she was just 1.4 miles into the race when a marshall cycled up to her on his push bike and told her she was way behind.

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Netty, from the Wakefield area, said the man told her that it would take five hours for her to complete the race and that his staff would not wait around for her to finish.

Now her story has sparked support from other runners on Twitter who have slammed the decision and vowed to boycott the race.

But despite the support, organisors of the race say it is standard practice to pull people from the race if they are too slow.

Ian Ogden replied to Netty’s post saying: “I believe you were aware that you could start earlier but decided not to it is standard practice for race organisers to withdraw marhsalls at a cut off point 12/13 min miling as a RUNNER that has done many distance races you must be aware of this.”

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Netty’s post on the Facebook page of the race said: “He cycled up to me and says you are way behind, you are far too slow - It’s going to take you about five hours or more.

“Well I’d just like to say it’s people like me that run the races. I might not be fast but one thing I am is a runner.”

After a screenshot of her Facebook post was put up on Facebook, Netty received a huge amount of supportive messages from users of the social media site.

Stevie Whittle said: “#spen20 poor #NettyEdwards pulled out of a race for being too slow after 4 miles. Shame on you #spenboroughAC 1 race I won’t be doing.”

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Sarah Hamilton said: “I’m so mad on #NettyEdwards behalf. #ThisGirlCan & this girl should’ve been left alone to get on with her run. Shame on you #SpenboroughAC.”

Sarah Browne said: “#spen20 horrible treatment of the awesome #nettyedwards today & so discouraging to anyone ‘slow’. Boo.”