The global chief executive of parkrun has shut the door on the possibility of the popular 5k runs returning next month.

Nick Pearson suggested parkrun was being prevented from restarting because the government is making decisions on "baseless assumptions and a culture of fear".

Parkrun originated in Bushy Park in 2004. Founded by Paul Sinton-Hewitt, it was originally called the Bushy Park Time Trial.

Some 16 years on, the concept has been rolled out to 1,500 locations across the globe and attracts as many as 280,000 runners a week.

All of its 850 events in England have been suspended since March due to the pandemic.

Earlier this month, hopes were raised earlier this month when government and public health authorities agreed that parkrun could resume events with certain safeguards at the end of October.

These hopes were quickly dashed, however. A combination of a rise in Covid-19 cases nationally, the new rule of six imposed by government and unwillingness from landowners (such as the Royal Parks) whose permission is needed to host events made the Autumn restart appear all-but impossible.

The final nail in the coffin came this week when Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced additional curbs on freedoms in an address to the nation.

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In a passionate blog post, Mr Pearson wrote: "Sadly, after significant consultation and discussion, circumstances outside of our control have dictated that parkrun cannot return in England by the end of October, as we had hoped."

He said the absence of parkrun this winter would "come at a cost" to its regulars' physical and mental health.

In comments hinting at disapproval of the rule of six, in which no more than six people can meet outdoors or inside, Mr Pearson said there is "little or nominal risk" of transmitting covid in the open air.

He wrote: "The health of our nation is facing its greatest challenge in decades, inequalities are increasing, and disadvantaged communities are suffering disproportionately. It is absolutely critical therefore that decisions to restrict activities, particularly where there is a demonstrable public health benefit, are based on robust evidence.

"And whilst caution should always be taken, where evidence is lacking it should be rapidly developed such that where risk is sufficiently low, activities can be supported to return.

"It is essential that, as we map out the coming weeks and months of our collective efforts to get back on our feet, we look beyond baseless assumptions and a culture of fear, and move toward evidence-based interventions.

"We must act now if we are to avoid irreparable damage to the health and happiness of our communities."