Spring Larmer running event cancelled over saturated ground

The Spring Larmer was due to take place on the Rushmore Estate

A weekend cross-country running event due to attract up to 1,000 participants has been cancelled over concerns about the ground being saturated.

White Star Running was due to stage the Spring Larmer on the Rushmore Estate near Shaftesbury in Dorset.

Organisers said runners would cause "immeasurable damage" to the landscape, with parts of the route on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

It is hoped the event will be rescheduled for later in the year.

In a statement, White Star Running said it was "truly gutted" to have to make the decision but it was "not safe" to continue.

It follows a decision to cancel the Spring Larmer's sister trail running event at Mapperton at the end of last year, also on weather grounds.

"We've never seen this estate like it, and we've never had to cancel our races at this venue due to weather," the statement read.

"Much of the course is fine and runnable, but the field we use for car parking is a now mud bath - you wouldn't be able to drive in or out safely. The field needs to be left alone to recover.

"It also means that we can't get medical support to parts of the route fast enough - this is not acceptable."

It apologised to runners and said they could switch to other events or wait until a new date is set for The Spring Larmer.

A yellow weather warning for rain is in place in the south west until Friday afternoon. Further downpours are expected over the weekend.

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