BUILTH Wells’ popular Groe Parkrun will return next week after new year coronavirus regulations suspended activities in Powys.

First Minister Mark Drakeford announced earlier today that Wales would begin the process towards moving to alert level zero from tomorrow (Saturday, January 15), which includes outdoor events being able to go ahead for up to 500 people, from 50.

And organisers of the Builth Groe Parkrun have said their event will return next Saturday, January 22.

“The Welsh Government have confirmed that outdoor events can go ahead with up to 500 people (was 50),” they said in a statement on their Facebook page.

“This rule change is as of tomorrow (Saturday, January 15) however, with such a short timescale to fill all the volunteer roster roles (less than 24 hours), we are planning to return the following Saturday. Next event is Saturday, January 22.”

Parkrun events across Powys had been halted from New Year’s Day following new regulations set by the Welsh Government.

Parkrun said it had “no choice” but to suspend the five-kilometre running events which can attract at least a hundred people in parks in Newtown and Builth.

Organisers of the parkrun in Newtown said: “Thank you to all our lovely volunteers that help out each week hopefully we will be back soon.”

Welsh Athletics and parkrun issued a joint statement to share their concerns about the restrictions.

The Welsh Government’s decision attracted criticism from the UK health secretary Sajid Javid, who said he “cannot see how restricting outdoor exercise is justified or proportionate”.