Club leaders say the decision has been prompted by ongoing concerns over conflict with traffic and the difficulties of organising an event for hundreds of runners with just a handful of active club members.

Chairman Mark Alden said: "The Midhurst 10k has been a fantastic event for the town.

"But the number base of our club is around 20 and with the traffic and continuing concerns for health and safety that come hand in hand with 600 people running twice round the roads circuit, there are an awful lot of things you need to consider.

"It is very difficult for a small group to arrange an event like that with very little help from road users, who are more concerned with getting from A to B as fast as they can.

"We can get marshals – the Rotary Club is fantastic and club members get friends and family to help. It is not the quantity that is a problem, it is what is asked of them."

The first Midhurst 10k was held in 1993, attracting 487 competitors. Hundreds of spectators turned out on the streets.

The race's reputation reached a high point in 2007 when the Milers were invited to host the Sussex 10k Championship.

But it brought 750 runners on to the roads and tempers flared when drivers found they could not get through.

Some of the volunteer marshals were verbally abused by angry motorists.

Last year the club brought the start of the race forward by two hours, to 8.45am, in a bid to avoid a repeat of the problem.

But committee member Tim Young said this week some Milers' members felt the race had 'run its course' in its present form.

"It was getting harder and harder to put on every year. The first year it was held we had road-closure orders, but we hardly needed to use them.

"The traffic has increased since then and even with the earlier start time last year, it was still very busy.

"The responsibility for putting on the race has become too much."

But Mr Alden is upbeat about the future of the Midhurst 10k. He says he is sure it will re-emerge.

"It will probably become an off-road event. Trail running and off-road running are becoming very popular. It depends on the individual but there is certainly a market there."

He declared: "The Midhurst 10k is not dead – it will evolve into something else."

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