A popular fundraising event for Cancer Research has had to be cancelled for 2020.

Organisers of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life has taken the decision to withdraw all 400 Race for Life events across the UK this year to protect the country’s health, as restrictions on mass gatherings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continue.

This includes the Pretty Muddy events and Race for Life 5K and 10K events at Bitts Park, Carlisle, which will no longer take place on August 23.

The Bitts Park events had originally been scheduled to take place in July but were rescheduled to August several weeks ago. The decision to cancel it altogether is a major blow to the charity.

Participants who have already signed up to a 2020 Race for Life event will be contacted directly by the charity and can request a refund or donate their entry fee.