This year’s An Res Hellys run in Helston looks likely to be the last ever.

From April 1 the body in charge of running 14 leisure centres in Cornwall, including Helston, as well as many of the county’s sporting events, will change – and the new owners have said they will not be continuing the events.

Tempus Leisure will be handing over to Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), trading as Better, which has been awarded a new contract by Cornwall Council.

GLL (Better) has said it would be happy to support similar events by offering the use of leisure facilities, but only if another party decides to stage them.

Tempus, however, has said it would not be able to continue with the running of them, as its team of staff will be moving to GLL and some of the equipment and the vehicles needed will be returning to Cornwall Council.

An Res Hellys, the ten-mile multi-terrain run which is the fifth race in the Cornwall Road Running Grand Prix Series, taking place on Sunday, March 26, will therefore be the final event to be organised by Tempus in Cornwall.

Tempus Leisure chief executive Simon Blamey said: “The triathlon series and other annual sporting events have proved tremendously successful in engaging the Cornish community, and have become highlights in the sporting calendar for so many people.

“We are desperately sorry that we won’t be able to continue to deliver these events in 2017.”

He hoped that since taking over the leisure centres in 2011 the charity had inspired people to continue taking part in sports activities in years to come.

A spokesperson for GLL said: "As these events are not part of the Cornwall Council leisure services contract, GLL will not be taking them on in the immediate future as our initial focus will be on improving the leisure facilities that are part of the contract, bringing significant investment and growing footfall.

"GLL are happy to support the events, by offering the use of leisure facilities it is contracted to provide from April 1, 2017 if Tempus Leisure or another operator decide to stage them."