Great North Run 2020 cancelled due to ongoing coronavirus pandemic

The 2020 Great North Run has been cancelled, organisers confirmed on Monday morning.

The event, which was due to celebrate its 40th year, has had to be cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

It is the UK's largest running event, attracting around 57,000 runners and 200,000 spectators.

The event will now celebrate its landmark 40th year in 2021.

Our sports correspondent Simon O'Rourke spoke to Brendan Foster, the founder of the Great North Run.

Mr Foster said cancelling the event was "inevitable".

Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great North Run Company, said it was a difficult decision to take.

He said: "We’re sorry that we’ve had to cancel the Great North Run. We haven’t taken the decision lightly.

"The event raises over £25m for charity, and is an important day in the North East calendar.

“Over the past few months we worked hard to try and find a way to stage the Great North Run while observing social distancing rules, and most importantly, not impacting on our local NHS.

"We also looked at holding the Great North Run later in the year.

“However, as things stand, and even as the situation improves, it’s not going to be possible to meet these goals with any certainty, and so we have concluded that the best course of action is to cancel.

Runners who had a place in this year’s event will be given the option to roll it over to the next Great North Run, currently scheduled for Sunday 12 September 2021, or get a refund of their entry fee.

This year's event had attracted a record number of entries, with entries to the January ballot up 40% a week before it closed.

Organisers of the event said they would still be looking to mark this year's event in some form.

Mr Foster said: "“Despite not being able to stage the event as planned we are exploring ways to mark the occasion and hope to be able to share our plans soon.”

The Great North Run raises millions for charity every year, including for local charities such as the Bobby Robson Foundation.

Responding to the news this year's event was cancelled Lady Elsie, widow of Bobby Robson, spoke on behalf of the Foundation.

She said it was sad but understandable news.

Lady Elsie said: "We’re very sorry to hear about the Great North Run but completely understand why the cancellation is necessary.