A Cheltenham Parkrun was cancelled at the last minute this morning after a body was discovered in Pittville Park. Gloucestershire Police said officers were called to the park shortly before 9am on Saturday, July 12, after a runner found the body before the event started.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “A scene guard is in place at Pittville Park in Cheltenham this morning (Saturday 12 July) following a sudden death. We were called at 8.50am with a report that a body had been discovered by a member of the public. The death is being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious at this time.”

Organisers of Cheltenham Parkrun cancelled the event shortly afterwards and posted an update on Facebook.

They wrote: “Due to unforeseen circumstances in the park we had to cancel Cheltenham parkrun this morning. 

“If you have been affected by this and you would like support please email Cheltenham@parkrun.com.”

One runner who was at the event told GloucestershireLive: “Everyone was by the start and they were doing the briefing beforehand then just said they would have to cancel as police vans arrived.”

Cheltenham Parkrun organisers confirmed that the event was cancelled mid-briefing but declined to comment further.

Cheltenham Parkrun is a free weekly 5k running event that takes place every Saturday at 9am in Pittville Park.

It’s open to people of all ages and abilities and is run entirely by volunteers.