Plans to move the Belfast City Marathon from a Monday to a Sunday have been put on hold for at least a year.
A row erupted between church leaders and marathon organisers after a proposal to stage the event on a Sunday rather than the usual May Day holiday, was put forward.
The PSNI had requested the change in a bid to save money in overtime bills and the idea was also backed by Translink, the Department for Regional Development, Belfast City Centre Management and Athletics Northern Ireland.
Danny O'Connor, chairman of Belfast City Marathon, said marathons were run around the world on Sundays with the support of churches.
However religious leaders across Belfast claimed any change of date could alienate Christians.
In a letter to Belfast Lord Mayor Naomi Long, Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson said congregations of around 40 churches near the race route would face congestion if it took place on a Sunday. And a Facebook group against holding the marathon on a Sunday garnered support from 2,000 people.
Debating the issue last night members of the Belfast City Council’s development committee agreed that the issue would be postponed for a year and guaranteed it would be held on the usual May Day Bank Holiday in 2011.
Development committee chairman William Humphrey said more consultation must be taken before any final decision is made.
“The concept of the idea of running the marathon on a Sunday must be postponed to allow the marathon committee to have a consultation process and consult with everyone including the churches,” he told the News Letter.
“No changes will happen without faith-based groups being consulted and this should happen as soon as possible. But I can say that next year, the marathon will be held on the Bank Holiday Monday again.”
This year 3,300 runners entered the marathon, joined by 11,000 relay runners, 2,350 walkers and 1,500 fun runners.
Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers said there was a strong depth of feeling on the issue of changing the day.
He said: “The marathon has always been held on the bank holiday Monday since it was first started, it has been a success all this time so why change it?
“Many churches could suffer severe disruption if it is moved to a Sunday with their congregations unable to get to their service. As well as that, the many organisations run by the church, such as the Boys’ Brigade, often take part in the marathon to raise money for very worthy charities but they will be unable to do that if it is moved.
“There is very strong feeling out there on this issue and everyone must be afforded the opportunity to express their opinion.”
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