Andover’s Parkrun will not go ahead from June 5 as planned over fears the event could be ‘overwhelmed’.

Test Valley Borough Council had approved the return of the town’s weekly 5K run, which would put it alongside more than 250 other Parkruns across the country. However, nationally, it has been decided that not enough authorities had given permission for the runs, with the risk that runners from other areas would travel to towns such as Andover and generate large crowds.

Andover Parkrun told the Advertiser: “National Parkrun have confirmed that we will not be able to restart on June 5 as hoped, however June is still within our sights!

"As a team of volunteers, we look forward to Parkrun returning on a Saturday morning as soon as safely possible. In the meantime we will continue to work behind the scenes in preparation."

Parkrun is an organisation that sets up free timed 5K runs weekly. Over 300,000 people regularly take part across the UK, with over three million registered with the group. It has a strong following, with some people travelling around the country to do as many different runs as possible.

In Andover, the runs take place at Charlton Lakes, and attract a keen crowd of followers. The group had announced in May that Andover had been given permission to go ahead, but reflecting the national picture, it will be held off for the time being.

Nick Pearson, Parkrun Global CEO said: “We will continue to work hard with landowners over the coming weeks to secure the permissions needed to return at the end of June. We are incredibly grateful to all of the landowners who have granted events permission to return so far, and for the groundswell of support for parkrun over recent days.

“Although it is disappointing not to be able to return on June 5, we are still optimistic that we can return parkrun events to nearly 600 communities across England very soon. We will do everything we can to ensure events restart on 26 June.”

A target date of June 26 is now being aimed for, following the planned relaxation of the final lockdown restrictions.

Andover Parkrun was contacted for comment.