THE 2020 Essity Prudhoe Miners’ Race is the latest sporting event to fall victim to coronavirus.

The five-mile race, which was due to take place on September 20, has been cancelled due to uncertainty around mass gatherings.

Event organisers Prudhoe Plodders confirmed the popular event’s cancellation in a statement on Prudhoe Town Council’s website.

It read: “Following consultation with our race organiser, Prudhoe Plodders, and main sponsor Essity, Prudhoe Town Council can now confirm the cancellation of the 2020 Essity Prudhoe Miners’ Race.

“Covid-19 has had an enormous impact on the running calendar, as more and more races are cancelled, due to uncertainty over when it will be safe to resume outdoor events and large gatherings.

“With the safety of the running fraternity and our community in mind, Prudhoe Plodders are keen to focus their efforts on the 2021 event. Although this is the right decision, it does come with much disappointment for all concerned.

“Everyone was extremely excited to see what Prudhoe Plodders would achieve in their second year as race organisers, after such a successful opening event in 2019. With longer to plan and a great ‘run-up,’ it is bound to be a strident success.”

The Prudhoe Miners’ race was originally started by members of the town’s working men’s clubs, but died out after the Second World War.

The race was then revived in 2012, with the support of Prudhoe Town Council and Essity Paper Mill on the town’s industrial estate.

Last year, running group Prudhoe Plodders won a tender to organise the event, and was praised for their new, community focus and carnival feel.

The race was previously organised by Run Northumberland.

The announcement follows the cancellation of the Great North Run, which was due to take place on September 13.

The Great North Run, which was to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, raises over £25m for charity and attracts more than 50,000 runners from across the country.

Parkruns in Prudhoe and Hexham have also been temporarily suspended. However, parkrunners and parkrun volunteers have been keeping connected via weekly Saturday blogs.