TYNEDALE’S two parkruns are set for a return next month.

People have been unable to take part in the global sensation of parkrun since March due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular runs, which encourage runners of all ages and abilities to run 5km at their local course in a mass participation event for free, have been rolled out at Prudhoe Riverside and Hexham’s Tyne Green in recent years.

A junior parkrun was also launched in Prudhoe and attracts many youth runners on a Sunday morning.

And runners from the district look set to get out and about at their favourite parks once again after Nick Pearson, parkrun’s global chief executive officer, announced the intention to resume all parkrun events in England towards the end of October.

He said: “Ever since parkrun events closed in the UK and across the world, we’ve been focused on understanding how and when we would be able to resume in a safe and appropriate way.

“Throughout, we have sought to understand the evidence, to be a part of discussions with government and public health bodies, to listen to the parkrun community, and to communicate regularly, transparently and honestly.

“Following detailed conversations with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Sport England, and Public Health England, I am delighted to announce that we intend to reopen parkrun and junior parkrun events in England towards the end of October this year.

“Unfortunately, as things stand, and due to current restrictions across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, we are not able to commit to the same timeline across the other Home Nations.

“However, we are aware of the implications of only opening in England and are continuing our work to overcome the challenges that this presents. "

“We are also as committed as ever to opening our events outside of England as soon as possible.”