A RELAY fun-run for the Welsh language, due to finish at Cardigan castle on September 15, has been postponed following safety fears.

Following a meeting held between Ras yr Iaith and members of the police and highways authorities on August 21 it was agreed to postpone the race.

The Ras was to take place September 13to 15, starting in Machynlleth and visiting Aberystwyth, Tregaron, Lampeter, Aberaeron and Llandysul, but will now probably be held in late spring 2014.

This difficult decision was made following a lengthy discussion on aspects of the traffic management and safety of runners.

“Ras yr Iaith has caught the imagination of people from Machynlleth to Cardigan and beyond, said Siôn Jobbins, Ras chairperson.

“Groups who have sponsored a kilometre to run include local schools, Merched y Wawr, rugby and football clubs, businesses and chapels and churches. They have been inspired to pay £50 to sponsor a kilometre to celebrate the Welsh language.

"However, their safety is paramount to the Ras organisers and the authorities. During the meeting in Aberaeron it became obvious that we needed to confirm aspects of the Ras at a very tight schedule. Rather than rush through the work it was decided that it would be better to take a step back and postpone the Ras until 2014,” Siôn added.

Ras yr Iaith is based on the successful template of other runs to celebrate the Breton, Irish and Basque languages. This is the first time that it has been attempted to organised this enterprising and ambitious project in Wales.