PLYMOUTH’S Britain’s Ocean City Half Marathon and the Ivybridge 10k are the latest popular sporting events in the region to be postponed due to the coronavirus.

Organisers of the half marathon made the decision to postpone the major race on Thursday.

The run, which also includes a schools’ challenge and attracts thousands of athletes, had been due to take place on Sunday, May 17.

This year it was due to be one of the centre piece events of the Mayflower 400 celebrations. The run was set to tie in with the official opening of The Box museum but that has also been postponed.

The half marathon organisers said in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart but following the most recent guidance about mass gatherings due to COVID-19 we are postponing the BOCHM on Sunday, 17 May, 2020.

“We are working with our stakeholders, suppliers and Plymouth City Council to secure a new date in 2020, we thank you for your patience whilst we work through this process. As soon as we have more details we will make contact with all our runners.”

The Tavy 13 half marathon, which was set to take place at the end of this month, had already been postponed.

The Ivybridge 10k had been due to take place on May 2 and was once again heading for a sell out.

Erme Valley Harriers who organise the 10k said: “Unfortunately due to the ongoing coronavirus situation we have had to take the painful decision to postpone the Ivybridge 10K until later in the year.

“We have not yet finalised a date, but it is likely to be in September and possibly midweek. We have to get agreement from Devon Highways and the rugby club before we can confirm.

“We have suspended entries until we confirm the new date. Those who have already entered will be contacted with the new date. If you cannot make that date a refund will be offered. Please do not email us at the moment.”

Meanwhile, the Plymouth Rugby Combination have postponed their cup finals, which were due to take place in April.

In a statement they said: “Following the RFU’s announcement to suspend rugby at all levels until at least April 14, the Combination executive have decided that the scheduled Combination Cup final nights on the 15th and 22nd of April will be postponed.

“Should the RFU subsequently grant an extension to the season, then the committee will endeavour to work with clubs to try and complete the cup competitions, subject to other outstanding fixtures and time available. If there is no extension to the season then the 2019-20 competitions will be abandoned.”

The Plymouth Combination have also postponed their annual sevens tournament that was due to take place on May 2.

Plymouth diver Matthew Dixon will also miss out on competing at the FINA World Cup next month after that event was postponed on Thursday.

The World Cup was due to be a qualifying/test event ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and was due to be held in the Japanese capital between April 21 and April 26.

Dixon had been set to represent Great Britain after winning the British Championships earlier this year.

The FINA World Diving Series event, which was due to be held in London on the weekend of March 27-29, has also been postponed.