The event was called off yesterday after the French Government ordered the cancellation of events of "gatherings of more than 5,000 people" in enclosed areas.

The decision was taken in a drive to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.

Around 44,000 people had registered to take part in the Paris Half Marathon, which is also known as the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris.

“The preparation needed for such an event by the participants who set out to take part should not be lost, however,” a statement from the Paris Half Marathon read.

“This is why the organisers and the Paris City Council have jointly decided to postpone the 2020 edition of the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris to a later date.

“As soon as circumstances permit, the organising teams of Amaury Sport Organisation and the services of the Paris City Council will mobilise to suggest a possible replacement date to the 44,000 people entered for the event.

“The organisation will also mobilise itself so that all the fresh food ordered for the event -especially fruit- should be quickly distributed to charitable associations.

“The organisers and the Paris City Council would like to thank their partners and all the volunteers who planned to participate in the event, and they hope to see them again very soon.”

There have been more than 87,000 coronavirus cases confirmed globally, with in excess of 2,900 people dying.

There are now more new cases outside of China than in the country where the outbreak began, with the situation causing havoc to the global sporting calendar.

France has now had over 100 confirmed cases of coronavirus.