SALISBURY'S 54321 running event will not take place this year, its organiser has announced.

Praised by some as 'one of the highlights' of the local running calendar, founding race director Ludo Macaulay today confirmed the decision, despite last August's 24th instalment being its "most successful event to date".

Posting to the event's Facebook page, he revealed that the decision was made after failing to recruit replacements for long-standing key staff, or find an organisation to take over the running of the trail races and challenge walks.

READ MORE: PHOTOS - More than a thousand runners take part in Salisbury 54321

He said: "This follows 2019, our 24th and most successful event to date, which saw over 1,100 starters and donations to a significant number of local youth groups, charities and individuals supporting the Stars Appeal and The Fire Fighters Charity.

"From all of us here at Salisbury 54321 we thank you for all of your support over the years and hope to see you at other local events in the future."

Mr Macaulay added that, as a result of today's decision, it is not possible to offer "roll-overs or refunds from previous events".

Following the announcement, many took to social media to praise the event.

One runner said: " So sorry to here this, 54321 was one of the highlights of my running calendar for the past three years, good luck to everyone involved."

Another added: "Thanks for putting on such a great event over the years. The 50k route will always be memorable."

The event, which would've celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, gave participants the chance to cover distances from 5km to 42km, and event a 50km ultra-marathon.

The routes covered terrain from footpaths and bridle ways to quiet country roads