A POPULAR marathon has been postponed to next year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Yorkshire Marathon takes place in York each year and was postponed to October 18 due to the threat of the virus.

However, due to the large number of applicants organisers have opted to postpone the event further to October 2021.

A spokesperson for the race said: “The events industry has been one of the hardest hit due to COVID-19 and it has been months of uncertainty as Covid-19 has developed.

“Many questions have been raised within the running community both by entrants, governing bodies and event companies as to the feasibility of events this year.

“However, following the localised lock-downs across the country, and with Covid-19 cases rising in areas we don’t feel that an event of this scale can take place this October.

“Therefore the decision to postpone has been taken and we are today confirming that all entries will be transferred to the new date in 2021.”

The statement went on to reveal that smaller races may be organised if the threat of the virus lessens.

All entrants to the marathon have been automatically carried over to the 2021 race.