A popular annual running event has been postponed by what organisers have described as “circumstances outside our control”.

Colchester Half Marathon organisers had announced in September that the race would take place on Sunday April 3 2022 – but it was announced on Tuesday that it will be moved back some seven weeks, with the new date set as Sunday May 22.

The event has not run since 2019 due to coronavirus restrictions, but with the event still another six months away, organisers are confident it will go ahead next spring.

Original entrants for the 2020 Colchester Half Marathon will be able to enter the 2022 Colchester Half Marathon from 10.00am on Friday December 17.

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They will also be eligible for a £10 discount on the entry fee.

For those who did not originally enter for the Half Marathon in 2020, general entry to the competition opens several weeks later, at 10.00am on Tuesday January 4.

The Colchester Half Marathon first took place in 2011 and had run every year up until 2020.

Colchester Harriers’ Ramadan Osman took the title when the race was last held in March 2019, with Helen Davies of Ipswich Jaffa taking the title in the women’s category.