PARKRUN events have been cancelled across the region from January 1 after new coronavirus regulations were introduced.

The Welsh Government announced their restrictions on numbers of people meeting indoors and outdoors had changed to 30 and 50 respectively.

As a result, Parkrun has cancelled its free, 5k runs taking place in Wales, as restrictions there mean gatherings cannot happen if more than 50 people attend.

Welsh Athletics and Parkrun issued a joint statement expressing their concerns and disappointments regarding the decision.

"Welsh Athletics and Parkrun are disappointed and concerned by the introduction of prohibitive restrictions that will once again significantly impact on the ability for people to engage with walking, running, and volunteering activities across Wales," it said.

"The benefits of walking, running, and volunteering for physical and mental health and wellbeing are well documented, and have been championed by many within the Senedd.

"It is also widely accepted, and supported by the evidence, that not only do outdoor environments present incredibly low risk of virus transmission, but increasing physical activity and health is one of the most important tools for overcoming COVID-19.

"Unfortunately, not only does there appear to be no evidence that stopping events like ours is beneficial overall to public health, but we would argue the evidence suggests doing so does more harm than good.

"We therefore call on the Welsh Government to work with us, look closely at the evidence associated with outdoor physical activity events, and agree a way forward such that we can help improve the health of people across Wales.

"It is very clear to us that the public health benefits of outdoor physical activity events far outweigh the public health risks, and we therefore urge the First Minister to review his control plan and remove the prohibitive restrictions on events such as ours."

Pont y Bala parkrun takes place at Lower Tryweryn, Bala.

It held an event on Christmas Day and organisers said: "A massive thank you goes out to all those who have volunteered this year, you have made this a very special place for people to come.

"Unfortunately, this will be the last Pont y Bala parkrun for some time as the new Covid rules restrict us from running on New Year’s Day and the flood defence work scheduled means we don’t expect to be back before April.

"Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - Happy New Year to all runners and volunteers alike and we will see you in the spring."

Other parkrun venues in North Wales include Erddig, Wepre Park and Greenfield Valley and organisers expressed their disappointment on social media.

Erddig organisers said they were "gutted" to have to close after all the hard work that had gone in over the last few weeks but had "fingers, toes and everything else crossed we won’t be too far in to the new year before starting back up".

Greenfield Valley organisers said: "This isn’t a great start to the new year, however, this shouldn’t stop you in keeping to those goals your have. Keep that motivation, keep on moving forward."