RUNNERS wishing to sign up to the Two Castles Run were left disappointed after the online booking system crashed.
When booking opened on Tuesday, thousands were expected to sign up.
But would-be entrants were left frustrated after the system shut down for around 20 hours following an online attack believed to come from Eastern Europe.
A spokesman from Kenilworth Rotary Club, which organises the run, said: “The attack made the system crash with only 53 people being able to register. We then had to make the difficult decision to shut down while we blocked the invading sites.
“We have been advised these attacks are normally aimed at business or government departments and we have no idea why we have been the victim of such an attack unless it is someone’s idea of twisted fun.
“The club would like to apologise to all who have been inconvenienced by the situation which has been totally out of our control.
“Yesterday was a torrid day for us as the events unfolded and it became obvious a build-up of frustration was occuring with would-be registrants.
“Normally we register 4,000 runners in around three hours with no problems.”
Visit www.twocastlesrun.org.uk to sign up.