MALDON district's Saltmarsh 75 challenge has been cancelled due to the latest Covid-19 group number restrictions.

The annual event, which sees competitors cover a long-distance trail along the Essex coastline, was set for Saturday, October 3. Yesterday afternoon (Thursday, 10 September) a decision was made to put a stop to this year's challenge.

Organised by staff members from Maldon District Council, the popular event dates back to 2014 and originally involved a 75-mile challenge over two days, but last year changed to the 50-mile trek over one day.

Starting at South Woodham Ferrers, competitors would have followed the banks of the River Crouch until it meets the North Sea, before turning north through the remote Dengie marshes to Bradwell-on-Sea at the mouth of the Blackwater Estuary. Passing through Steeple, Maylandsea and then finishing at Maldon's Promenade Park.

In a statement, the organising group said: "We cannot in good conscience go ahead and put the public at risk, or by seen by others as a 'green light' to plan or proceed with activities that could ultimately cause this virus to spread unnecessarily.

"Of course we have given consideration to putting on a virtual event, but honestly the time has come to call this a 'fallow' year for the Saltmarsh event and come back next year bigger, stronger and brighter.

"We as a team are incredibly disappointed, especially as the medals arrived yesterday, but largely because we do not want to let anyone down."

The group has hopes of increasing the number of events next year, linked to celebrations of the district's 850th anniversary.