Tough Mudder Scotland in Dalkeith cancelled under Covid rules

A popular obstacle race in Midlothian has been cancelled the night before the event after the council withdrew its licence because of Covid restrictions.

About 5,000 people had been due to take part in Tough Mudder at Dalkeith Country Park over 3 and 4 July.

Participants were contacted on Friday night, less than 15 hours before the event started, and told not to attend.

Midlothian Council said clarification of Scottish government Covid guidance had led to the licence being suspended.

The area is still under level two Covid restrictions, with the second highest case rate in Scotland. On Saturday, the area registered 706.3 cases per 100,000 people.

The council said its decision had followed on from a meeting with the Scottish government, which made clear there was a cap of 500 people per day on the number of participants in a level two area.

A spokesman said: "Following receipt of a letter from Prof Jason Leitch there then followed a meeting with the Scottish government, which provided clarification as to interpretation of the guidance.

"During the meeting it was made clear that a maximum of 500 participants per day are allowed at events in level two areas.

"There was then a further meeting with elected members which resulted in the decision being taken to suspend the licence. Tough Mudder was informed of this decision."

A Scottish government spokeswoman said protecting public health was priority, adding that the decision to withdraw the event's licence was a matter for Midlothian Council.

She added: "Our guidance on mass participation events has remained the same - clearly limiting participants to a maximum of 500 per day in level two areas."

The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 2021 race was due to take place under significant restrictions, with no camping or social activities before or after the race.

Those taking part also had to present a negative Covid test before they would be allowed to run.

In a statement posted on its website on Friday night, Tough Mudder said: "At 18:27 this evening we received communication from Midlothian Council that our issued licence to host this event was revoked.

"This intervention comes just 48 hours after the council voted to support our event licence, having reviewed the latest guidelines and considered the extensive safety measures we'd put in place. "

It continued: "We're grateful to the team for the months of work they put in with the council, accommodating every request made and consistently demonstrating we could deliver a safe event.

"We're deeply frustrated with this last-minute revocation. And we're devastated not to be able to celebrate a return to in-person events with you, our Mudder community."

Tough Mudder later added that although there were some 2,500 people participating over the course of 12 hours each day, there would be no more than 500 people on site at any one time.

It added that "bubbles" of 50 participants would start the course in waves.

Steve Beattie had travelled from Dundee with his 16-year-old daughter Emily - who was hoping to tackle the course for the first time.

"We don't have a lot in common and this is something that brings us both together," said Steve. "My daughter has been really, really excited about this for the past few months through a very difficult time.

"For it to be taken away literally at the last moment is really sad."

Mr Beattie said following the event's first cancellation, the two have spent the last year in training, as well as making additional preparations for accommodation and cleaning supplies.

He said: "We did spend about £112 on a hotel and if we'd known a wee bit sooner we'd have been able to cancel that and get our money back.

"But it's not about the money, it's the opportunity to get to spend time with like-minded individuals - that idea of a community."

Tough Mudder's statement highlighted the impact the last-minute cancellation would have on its staff, contractors and suppliers. It acknowledged that many people had already travelled to attend the event.

And it mentioned other events which have been allowed to go ahead.

It said: "The irony is not lost on us that just this past weekend, almost 16,000 rugby fans gathered together in Murrayfield, just 10 minutes up the road.

"We will continue our challenge of the decision to ensure other customers and other businesses do not suffer the same unreasonable last minute reversal of previously granted permissions."

Many people posted their anger on Twitter.

One, @mbhwhu, wrote: "Gutted for you all, the crew, the contractors, the volleys and those travelled and some still on their way! Absolute madness."

@ChelleDevlin wrote: "As difficult as this decision is to hear, I believe it to be the right one albeit I do not agree with the last minute notice. I live in Dalkeith and the Covid cases have rocketed this week - fall out from the Scotland game. See u next year."

Those who had entered have been given the choice of a refund or attending a future event.