THE Bury Running Festival scheduled for September has been postponed until 2021 due to concerns over mass gatherings in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers Run for All and Bury Council have concluded that deferring the event is necessary this year to protect everyone’s health and control the virus.

The new-style event was to have included the familiar Bury 10k, Bury Fun Run and an exciting new event, the Bury 10 Mile.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Runners from our borough and beyond will be disappointed at this news, but during these challenging times we have no choice but to put off our plans.

“That said, we urge everyone not to despair; the enhanced event will make it onto our streets in just over a year’s time on Sunday 19 September 2021.”

In the meantime, the many people that have taken to walking and jogging more during lockdown are encouraged to keep up their endeavours and make the 2021 Bury Running Festival their goal.

People can also support each other by sharing on social media their challenges and running achievements - tagging their post with #BuryRunningFestival.

Anyone just starting out or in need of extra support should follow @BuryLiveWell Couch to 5k tips and videos, as well as other hints on living well and achieving healthy lifestyle goals.

Cllr Simpson added: “Let’s not forget that this will be a blow too for the charities that would have benefited from this event.

"We very much hope that next year’s festival will be a bumper year with more people taking part and extra money raised for these deserving causes.”

Run for All will be writing individually to all 2020 current entrants who will have their place transferred to the new date.

To keep up to date with all running events organised by Run for All, visit www.runforall.com