Parkrun cancelled as coronavirus hits global weekly gatherings
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Runners and walkers who gather every Saturday morning for their 5km social run will have to wait until at least May for their next group event.
Parkrun added the UK to its list of closed regions on Thursday, March 19, meaning that the global movement is now completely shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak.
It means parkruns across the Highlands and Islands - which take place at Inverness, Aviemore, Elgin, Alness, Thurso and Fort William, as well as Stornoway and Kirkwall - have been cancelled.
The organisation's chief operating officer, Tom Williams, said the UK shutdown was initially to the end of March but "we very much expect closures to continue through April at least".
He added: "Please rest assured that we are working hard to develop our strategy so that we are able to support the health and happiness of parkrunners around the world during this difficult time.
"Remaining active is incredibly important, and we are working on ways to encourage and support that; however, please do not arrange group gatherings at your parkrun venues whilst parkrun events are suspended."
Elgin parkrun said in a statement: "If you miss your 5k run on Saturday morning then you most certainly are not alone. We miss you all already and look forward to seeing you all return safe and sound when parkrun is back."
