The London Duathlon set to take place next month has been called off over safety concerns.
In a statement, the festival’s organisers said the cycling event would not go ahead in Richmond Park on September 8 due to a “number of unforeseen factors”.
“This includes an increased focus on the security and logistics of cycling events in public spaces which creates significant operational challenges,” they said.
“Our team has been working hard to explore all available options in recent weeks, but we have concluded that we can’t make the event work this year.”
They added: “All London Duathlon 2024 ticket holders have been emailed with the necessary information regarding their ticket options. Please ensure you check your junk folder if you can’t find the email.”
The running and cycling event is the world’s largest duathlon and one of the most popular races in the capital’s sporting calendar. Around 4,000 people took part last year.
The Royal Parks, a charity which manages the site, in June said that it would review cycling events after reports of a “minority of people cycling at excessive speeds”.
A spokesperson said there had not been enough time for talks with the Duathlon to put “enhanced mitigations” in place to “ensure the safety of participants and park visitors” ahead of the event.
“Any cycling events that take place within the parks must have undergone a thorough risk assessment and meet the required level of safety measures," they said.
"The Royal Parks will work with any event organiser to establish what these are depending on the proposed event taking place."
They added that the parks would “welcome responsible cyclists" and "support cycling events and activities that have appropriate mitigations in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors".
“We will work closely with potential event organisers to determine the future of the event," they said.
