Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
A “misinterpretation” led to a major armed response and a mass running event being cancelled at the eleventh hour.
Peterborough ’s Great Eastern Run was called off just minutes before it was due to start on Sunday after reports of a man acting “suspiciously” near the route.
Hundreds of runners were at the start line gearing up for the half marathon when a public announcement revealed it had been cancelled at the last minute.
Armed police officers were called in to investigate but found the witness who raised the alarm had “misinterpreted what was seen”.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “We take all calls extremely seriously, even more so in light of recent events across the country, and as a result a major firearms response was launched.
Show all 70 1 /70Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge proudly holds the flag of Kenya after breaking the two-hour barrier
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates his incredible accomplishment
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge ahead of the challenge in Vienna
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge ahead of the challenge in Vienna
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge ahead of the challenge in Vienna
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt An advertising billboard erected in Nairobi
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge warms up before the start of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt The starting line of the race
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge and his team of pacemakers
PA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge at the start line
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge at the start line
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge at the start of his sub two-hour attempt
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge at the start line
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge leaves the start line
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge runs during his attempt to bust the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt The INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge in action next to his pacemakers
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge in action next to his pacemakers during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt The Kenyan marathon world record holder in action next to his pacemakers
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt A fan poses with gadgets during the race
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of the INEOS Chemicals company, during the race
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge runs along the Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
Reuters
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates at the finish line
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
REUTERS
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's wife and children and Sir Jim Ratcliffe watch on
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
AP
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge is embraced by Ineos owner Jim Ratcliffe
Getty
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge is embraced by Ineos owner Jim Ratcliffe
APA/AFP via Getty Images
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
EPA
Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Eliud Kipchoge's sub two-hour marathon attempt Kipchoge celebrates breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon
EPA
“Following a comprehensive investigation, it is believed that the witness was acting in good faith but has misinterpreted what was seen.”
Organisers of the event apologised for the event being cancelled and thanked participants for their patience.
Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Race director Jon Marsden said: “We are really disappointed that we had to cancel the event and we apologise to all of the people that had booked their run with us today.
“Unfortunately an incident occurred around 20 minutes before the start of the half marathon where the police were concerned about the behaviour of an individual on the course at that particular time that required investigation.
“Because of the time it took to do that we then had to consider the issues around the runners who were waiting who were starting to suffer from hypothermia and the road closures, as we had guaranteed that we would reopen these roads by 2pm.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies