ORGANISERS of the popular Alton Ten road race have announced its cancellation because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic gripping the world.

Race director Philip Scrase wrote to all entrants, saying: “We have been following all the advice and been in regular contact with the authorities and as a club we will always put the health and safety of our runners, helpers, marshals and local residents first.

“To this end, regrettably we have now decided to cancel this year’s Alton Ten.”

Mr Scrase expressed his disappointment to the Herald: “I’m upset to have cancelled the race as this will have a knock-on effect with us being unable to make donations to local charities this year.

“The race itself is part of the Hampshire Road Race League, which has decided to suspend the league as it will not be possible to complete the remaining races this season, which again is a shame.”

Organised by the Alton Lions and Alton Runners, the race would have started on May 9 at Eggar’s School, before running through ten miles of Hampshire countryside.

This year’s event, however, will be missing from the annals, as organisers have decided to defer entrants to the 2021 race, which has provisionally been scheduled for May 9.

Entrants are being offered the chance to transfer their place to another runner if they cannot make the new date. Those who wish to do so should send an email to [email protected]

Refunds are not being given for those who have paid the £18 entry fee (£16 for UK Athletics affiliate members).

Mr Scrase said the race had already “spent a considerable amount of money on medals, trophies and other services.”