The World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships, which were scheduled to take place on the Canary island, has also been called off.

The events, governed by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA), had due to be held over the weekend of November 14 and 15.

WMRA President Jonathan Wyatt said the organisation was "sorry we can not provide a competition in 2020 for our athletes and their chance to shine on a world stage", but admitted the decision had not been difficult to make given the global health crisis.

"We have to make sure that our sports event does not contribute to any sort of worsening of the global pandemic we are facing and we have not seen a big enough improvement to take away these doubts," Wyatt said. 

"Therefore, together with our friends in the organisation team, the local Haria Government on Lanzarote and the Spanish Athletics Federation, we have decided that this is the best action to take.

"We do feel sorry we can not provide a competition in 2020 for our athletes and their chance to shine on a world stage. 

"It is regrettable that our mountain running community and family can not meet and share the experiences together that we have grown to love over the past 36 years of WMRA competitions."

The World Mountain Running Championships have been held every year since 1985.

The event was previously called the World Mountain Running Trophy until the WMRA adopted the current name in 2009.