Parkruns restarting are delayed but they could be back soon

But the date for restarting parkruns has now been delayed until June 26 by national organisers.

The 5k runs have become hugely popular over the years with hundreds of runners attending every Saturday, including in Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot and Bicester.

Amy Rose O'Hanlon leads a junior Park Run in Florence Park earlier this month

They will be disappointed that the parkrun is not able to return until June 26, even though lockdown has been eased for shops, pubs and restaurants.

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Before the pandemic, about 300,000 people nationwide took part in the free timed 5km event on a typical weekend.

Organisers decided they had no choice but to put back the start date after just 250 of the 589 venues granted approval – which risked overwhelming those events that had received the go-ahead.

The problem was seen as acute in London, with only three out of 56 events having permission to reopen.

Oarkrun chief Nick Pearson is now optimistic that the ‘magic number’ of around 80% of venues can be reached in time to allow it to restart nationally on June 26.

He said: "We’re obviously disappointed not to be back on June 5. “There’s deflation and frustration. But we will do everything we can to ensure events restart on June 26.”

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A decision regarding the new date will be made on June 11.

Since parkrun revealed last week its return could be delayed indefinitely there have been interventions from Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Mr Pearson added: "There has been significant cross party support and the intervention of the culture minister in committing to resolving issues at the local level makes us much more optimistic."

Mark Lygo is joined by Park Run organisers in Cutteslowe Park in 2012

On Wednesday Lord Coe became the biggest name yet to call for parkrun to return, suggesting it was unfair for parkrun to wait while pubs and restaurants had reopened.

He added: "As more of everyday life returns, we must not forget about the things that quietly, efficiently, (perhaps almost without us noticing), offer some of the greatest benefits of all.

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“If we can shop, eat and drink inside restaurants, visit other families in their home, watch live sport, go to the gym, play centres and the theatre then putting on an organised community running event in our parks is really a ‘no brainer’.”