A new running festival had to be cut short due to bad and stormy weather.

Run Jurassic, a partnership between the Jurassic coast Trust and White Star Running, held its first event at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, Burton Bradstock, last month.

More than 500 runners took part in the 31 or 26.5-mile from Lulworth or Osmington Mills to Freshwater Beach Holiday Park on the Saturday, but the children’s races, half marathon and 10km race due to take place on the Sunday were cancelled.

Lucy Culkin, of Jurassic Coast Trust, said: “The forecast had been that the storm would subside from 3am, however, overnight, conditions became dangerous at West Bay with no sign of the storm weakening. The wind was at such a strength that being at any height, and particularly on a coastal path, would have potentially been life threatening. It is for this reason the race director took the decision to cancel, a decision that we at the Jurassic Coast Trust wholeheartedly support and agree with.

“The Jurassic Coast Trust were on site early and saw first-hand the damage the storm had caused. With this information, the only decision that could be taken was in the interest of the runners’ safety.

“So, on this occasion, the power of nature won the day, However, we have already started to consider what will happen next year.”

For more information, visit jurassiccoast.org