Parkrun's return in October scrapped due to coronavirus measures

Parkrun will not return in October due to stricter Covid-19 rules.

The mass participation event, which takes place in more than 700 green spaces across the UK, was first suspended in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Although Parkrun is exempt from Government social distancing rules because it is an organised outdoor sporting activity, its organisers said it would not be right to reopen this Autumn.

"Whilst we reluctantly accept this reality, Parkrun's absence will come at a cost," chief executive Nick Pearson told the BBC.

"As we head into winter and face the many associated seasonal health issues (both in terms of Covid-19 and other mental and physical illnesses), we believe Parkrun has an incredibly important role to play in supporting public health."

He added that although there is little or nominal risk of Covid transmission during the outdoor activity, it would be "insensitive" to push for it to return.

Parkrun is held in 22 countries around the world and was first created in London in 2002 by Paul Sinton-Hewitt.

In the UK it is run by volunteers at 729 locations and is free for people to take part.

Adult participants run or walk 5km courses on Saturday mornings while juniors take on 2km routes on Sunday.

More than 2 million people take part in Parkruns around the UK