2022 GOM cancellation

Please see message below from the IOERC Events Group.

With great sadness the decision was taken this weekend (21 August) to cancel the Great Ouse Marathon 2022 due to the unprecedented dry weather this summer and subsequent safety issues around water levels, boating and particularly being able to get crews safely off the water at the end of the race in a timely and secure manner.

This decision was taken with much regret after discussion with the Environment Agency, consideration of all options around alternative boating possibilities, and the implications of running a slimmed down event with fewer entrants and reduced competition. River levels are far lower and the flow more sluggish than we have previously experienced during Isle of Ely RC’s tenure on its existing site. The Environment Agency and the Drainage Board have confirmed they cannot guarantee East Anglia will have the rainfall, and they the capacity, to temporarily ‘boost’ the river levels for the event.

After Covid we were keen to resume normal service and be able to host a safe and competitive event for entrants who may have travelled many miles to participate, but it seems the odds are stacked against us. We would like to thank you for supporting our event and look forward to welcoming you back next year.

We are currently working on the cancellation process on BROE. For those of you who have already paid, refunds will come automatically through BROE.

The IOERC Events Group