This year's Swindon Half Marathon has been cancelled. 

The Race Organiser – the company behind the event – cited the coronavirus spike in the town as the reason behind its decision.

Last month it said it still hoped to stage the 13-mile run – scheduled for Sunday, September 20 – in Covid-secure conditions, without big crowds or a massed start.

But the company has admitted defeat and says all entrants have been notified.

The event is set to return on September 19 2021.

Richard Parr from The Race Organise  said: “We simply can’t be sure that the current Covid-19 situation in Swindon will have improved sufficiently in the next four weeks.”

“Even though our plans demonstrate how an adapted version of the event could be offered with no impact on community transmission, it’s not responsible for us to bring any number of people into the affected postcodes and have them disperse to their respective communities.”

“Whilst its hugely disappointing for runners, local businesses and the charities who so desperately need the support that the event generates, public health has to come first.

"We’ll be back on Sunday, September 19 2021 to offer the unrestricted, brilliant event that Swindon deserves.”

Last year, it was estimated runners raised more than £100,000 for charity.