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Call for Parkruns to be boycotted

10:03am Tuesday 9th February 2010 in


A NORTH-EAST athletics official has called for a boycott of the popular nation-wide free-entry weekly Parkrun races.

The Saturday events are held in the North-East parks in Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough over five kilometres – but unlike races organised by local athletics clubs there is no financial contribution to the sport’s governing body, UK Athletics.

Alan Elders, treasurer of the Start Fitness North-East Harrier League and a member of the road running committee of the North-East Counties Athletic Association, wants clubs to discuss the objections he has raised with UK Athletics – and, if they feel the same, not to support the events.

Elders, secretary of Low Fell Running Club, says in an email to clubs: “I am all in favour of increasing the numbers in running but these park runs have been given a licence.

“It would appear that they have not paid for a licence for each race, do not award a sort of prize or prizes based on performance, do not pay any levies that we have to pay when we organise races and in general do not conform to the terms of the licence.

“There is no entry fee and no extra charge for non-club members.”

He adds: “They say it is a run against the clock but it is a massed start and results appear in Athletics Weekly. In effect it is a race.”

Elders has registered his objections with UK Athletics and urges clubs to do the same.

He says: “What is the point in clubs organising events and paying levies and fee for their members? What’s next – a 10K park run every Saturday?

There seems to be one rule for clubs and another for others.

“Can I suggest your club does not support them or add links to their web pages.”

Parkrun founder Paul Sinton- Hall said: “Of course I am very disappointed to see campaigns of this nature, especially where the person or body concerned has had the opportunity to meet with us and understand what we are doing, the benefits to others and especially the benefits to the organisations he supports and purports to want to help.

“In these days where we are all battling to get people off their sofas and participating in sports and activities it is important we all support each other’s efforts.

“At the centre or heart of Parkrun is a love for running, a desire to improve running in the schools, clubs and in the United Kingdom.”

He added: “Some of the facts being quoted by Alan are also incorrect and he has also misinterpreted the relationship between ourselves and UK Athletics.”

The Parkrun website shows that over 35,000 runners have taken part in nearly 1,800 runs throughout the country since the events began in 2004.

Comments(52)

RunningBob says...
12:54pm Tue 9 Feb 10

Alan Elders is missing the point. High profile running events like Great North Run attract tens of thousands of people to sample our sport. Of these a tiny fraction currently end up at clubs or local races. Parkrun is providing an easy low key way for some of these people to continue and progress their running.

In this way parkrun actually feeds through to increase club membership and local race numbers. For existing club athletes parkrun provides a free and fun training session. For these reasons parkrun is enthusiastically supported by most athletic clubs.

Alan Elders has presumably never run or even watched a parkrun. He should at least talk to club runners who have.

Your reporter would be better employed investigating whether the high entry fees of the Great North Run and similar events help athletics.

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Chris Phelan says...
1:45pm Tue 9 Feb 10

Many people in the running world need time to adjust to the ethos of parkrun and once you have you'll learn about the phenomenon of parkrun.

parkrun provides many things. There is a genuine bonding of a community that cuts across club rivalry and brings together like minded folks who want to share their passion for running, supporting each other whether at the front, middle or back of the pack.

The inclusivity of being available for all, being regular, being simple, being well organised, having a wide community of support and attracting so many to make achievements they thought impossible is a testament to the hundreds of volunteers organising parkruns across the country.

I'm involved in the Banstead Woods parkrun and we have support from all of the local running clubs. The event is organised by volunteers who run for 5 different clubs and has weekly volunteers who come from all the local clubs and from the community. It is very pleasing to me to be asked by local runners on how they can improve their running. My response is always that they should join a local club. Huge numbers have now joined clubs, pay their membership to them and become affiliated to English Athletes in that way.

parkrun has reached a place in the community that the running club cannot, with one or two exceptions, such as the Stragglers based in Kingston upon Thames.
parkrun is the perfect conduit between the community, keeping fit and healthy and taking up the more competitive racing mantel that is the lifeblood of athletic clubs.

Long my parkrun continue to provide the perfect resource and support for runners and long may the running clubs continue to provide a structure for greater competition.

There is a place for us all in our community.

Chris Phelan

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Nicola Stevenson says...
10:06pm Tue 9 Feb 10

I'm saddened to read this article. The writer obviously hasn't been to a Parkrun event.

At Roundshaw Parkrun the majority of our runners are unattached and wouldn't have dream they are capable of competing in any race, but with the support and encouragement they get from the Parkrun community many have gone on to join clubs, enter 10k, half marathon and even marathon distances.

I'm a Parkrun volunteer and runner. I enter over 20 races a year and am member of a local club. I have gained so much from being park of the Parkrun phenomenon I can not image life without it.

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lisa shennan says...
8:51am Wed 10 Feb 10

How can these events be anything but positive? I have been a parkrunner for a few years, i am usually at the back of the pack and I feel very supported even if I come in last. These events and the support received encouraged me to join a running club locally, in which i'm still back of the pack! But without the support of parkrun I would still be sitting on my sofa thinking I wasn't "good enough" to enter any running event. There is a real sense of community & support within parkruns. Long may they go on!

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Nicki Clark says...
11:18am Wed 10 Feb 10

As a regular runner / volunteer at Banstead Woods, I would like to echo the comments made above about the positive impact of parkrun on all involved.
Like many parkrun participants, when I first started parkrunning I would not have had the confidence to join a running club, but after seeing the improvements brought about by regular running, and chatting to members of local running clubs at the Banstead parkrun, I have become a club member.
parkrun gives a lot of people a very great deal, regardless of ability. It is hard to image Saturday mornings without it!

Nicki Clark.

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RogerSWilson says...
11:31am Wed 10 Feb 10

Alan Elders - do get down to a local parkrun and start recruiting club members and publicising your races! All the best, Roger Wilson

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David Priddy says...
5:53pm Wed 10 Feb 10

As someone with a foot in both camps as both a parkrun organiser and a club chairman I've got to say that Mr Elders is wide of the mark. The majority of runners at parkrun are people who wouldn't join clubs because they don't think they were good enough, and who only do the odd race every now and then. What parkrun does is actually persuade these people that they are good enough to join clubs, and that they are capable of a lot more than they realise. It's actually quite inspiring to see total beginners improve over time then join clubs and get even better. parkrun is not a replacement for clubs, it's entirely complimentary, and as others have said, Mr Elders should get down there and start recruiting.

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Andy Stalley says...
10:32pm Wed 10 Feb 10

I’m sorry, but the comments made by Alan Elders are infuriating and completely out of context. Clearly he has absolutely no idea of what parkrun is all about and his comments are littered with inaccuracies. I am a co-director of a parkrun event and our event has brought people out running, out enjoying themselves, and out getting fit. Attendances at local races are up and we have encouraged so many people to join local clubs, that it has proved to be a really positive way of getting people into our sport.
I wish Alan Elders had visited our event or any parkrun event before going to the press. He would have seen parents running with their kids, the spirit of the event and the friendships that it has fostered.
If you want a simple example of the power of parkrun, just look at my wife. For years I have tried and failed to get her out running with me. Then she came down and watched a parkrun event, saw the spirit, the sense of achievement it brought and the enjoyment it created. She now is a regular runner at my event, joined my running club, runs in cross country’s and road races representing the club.
I willingly give up my time to run our event and there are so many stories like my wife’s that make that time so well spent.
My advice to your readers is to come down to a parkrun event and see how great they are. Bring your kit and join in, you’ll love it. My call to you is to support your local parkrun.

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DominicShields says...
11:23pm Wed 10 Feb 10

Mr Elders, your boycott idea will only achieve ridicule directed at you. I'm the membership secretary of a Cardiff running club and have personally recruited many people I have met and got to know at the Cardiff parkrun. My admiration for the incredible organisers and volunteers is such that I find it really difficult to not turn up the day before the Paris and London Marathons and I have no trouble at all in saying that I enjoy every Parkrun more than Paris and London. This Saturday I will be at the Parkrun as usual then running in the Gwent League at Brecon in the afternoon, if I had to do just the one race it would be the Parkrun so good luck with that boycott.

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Funnyman says...
7:45am Thu 11 Feb 10

What a complete muppet Elders is.
PArk run is a huge benefit to the running club/ running world.
I am an ex-hockey player who was keen to keep fit and not pay £60-90 a year membership to run with a club on an ad hoc basis.
Through Park run i can rock up when i want and take part. The camaraderie, banter and good will at these events makes the run un-chore like!! The timing of the can spur you on or be totally ignored - like 'race' you may be involved with!! There are many benefits to Park run - its not just about the run!! Many people dont want to pay to run but still would like to do it as a 'group/team' sport so Park run can fill this gap too. I agree with the other posts - Elder get yourself along to a Park run and see that it doesnt contrivene anything you believe it does - move with the times - we aren't all obsessed with rules and regulations - some people just fancy a run with some people in a park for free - its called choice!!!

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robertheppell says...
9:38am Thu 11 Feb 10

I go to the Brighton ParkRun nearly everyweek, there are people there who do it in 15mins to people that do it in 45mins, people who walk round, run round, walk dogs round, push pushchairs round, people who talk all the way round, from every age bracket, kids to grand-parents.

Everyone is there in the pouring raining or driving snow, to the bitter cold mornings.... why???

Who knows why? Everyone will have their own motivation, but the fact is that people are there. Getting out, mingling with different people and getting fit, getting motivated and having fun.

I urgue Mr Elders to at the very least try a parkrun, I will even drive up from Brighton to run it with him,

I bet I would not be the only 1 out of 35,000 parkruns to run with Mr Elders to try and change his mind.

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toobloo says...
9:53am Thu 11 Feb 10

Mr Elder's comments are typical of the elitist stance that is taken by too many club officials. In my view too many running clubs are less welcoming than snobby golf clubs and tennis clubs. This is the reason that we as a nation continually fail in distance running.
Park Run welcomes all and celebrates participation. When I witness the enthusiasm displayed by so many very young runners I am frustrated and annoyed that running clubs are not tapping into this potential talent.

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Peter Collins says...
10:18am Thu 11 Feb 10

I've been doing parkrun on Wimbledon Common since last April, having been a recreational runner for much of my life. I have improved my fitness, made lots of new friends, volunteered to help out, joined a local club (and competed in some of its races) and in general this old cynic has been fired by the enthusiasm both of the people who organise the event and those who simply run it. At Wimbledon, we have people who run under 17 minutes regularly, even under 16 at times, but I am most moved by those who fire up their courage having never or rarely run before and complete the course in much slower times - it seems more of an achievement for such people and is the most vital thing about parkrun. Some of those people do it once and never again, but many more carry on running and even join one of the clubs Alan Elders is now urging to boycott the events. I'm not sure I've ever come across a more misguided lot of bluster. The running/athletics clubs and parkrun are on the same side. Mr Elders makes himself look stuffy and out of touch. If he had any nous, he'd get down to the parkruns he mentions and gently try to recruit people rather than urge them to boycott the event.

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ukcannuck says...
10:18am Thu 11 Feb 10

Mr Elder needs at least to get his facts straight before going on such a diatribe about such a popular event run by volunteers!! It is fabulous that it is run by so many dedicated people for even more happy runners, joggers, walkers and families to enjoy together on a Saturday morning - it is not about making money!

As a number of people have said above, I was not a very regular runner but having recently moved near to a park where a big 5km parkrun is held every Saturday and I absolutely love doing it, although I don't make it as often as I would like and still have quite a few weeks to go before reaching any of the 50 or 100 club milestones. My PB has improved by about 2 minutes and still clearly needs some work, but since starting parkruns, I've done the Reading half marathon twice and shaved 15 mins of my time for that - I'm sure it's down to the regular time trials and encouragement I get from the Bushy Park parkruns.

Mr Elder - you do your research and at least read the parkrun website to find out what a fantastic event it is before your entirely uneducated call for a boycott.

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Lucy Perrin says...
10:30am Thu 11 Feb 10

How can an event that encourages participation in running by ALL ages and abilities be a bad thing?
If any thing Alan Eldon should be giving parkrun a big thank you for bringing the joy of running to so many new people.

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markgreenwood says...
10:35am Thu 11 Feb 10

How sad. A local athletics official writing to running clubs asking them to stop people running.
It's hard to see what's motivating Mr Elders - is it because he disapproves of running for free, or because of a lack of the proper sort of licence. Maybe he feels that parkrun threatens the existence of athletic clubs in some way. Or is it just that parkrun doesn't fit with the rules of local athletics which creates a bureaucratic inconsistency?
Whatever, he hasn't taken into account what's best for people.
parkrun is a simple and brilliant way of getting non-runners out and exercising. It's a terrific way of showing weekend joggers how much fun it is to take part in organised events. It's exactly the sort of scheme that will create a conveyor belt of new members for the Low Fell club and all the other athletics clubs around the country.
So what should happen next? My suggestion is that local club leaders need to undo the damage done by this action. They could review Mr Elders opinions, look at the evidence and then write to all the local clubs and media supporting parkrun.
If parkrun doesn't fit within the rules of the athletics bodies, change the rules so it does. If there's a licence problem, deal with it. And if you think parkrun threatens local clubs, doing a bit of recruiting at your local parkrun should quickly prove the reverse.
As for Mr Elders, maybe Sir, you should make a public statement highlighting the positive aspects of parkrun. You might begin to recover some of the credibility you have surely lost by calling for runners to be stopped from enjoying running.

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cliffajw says...
10:41am Thu 11 Feb 10

I would like to echo the comments made by others, who seem, unsurprisingly, unanimous in their support for Parkrun. Support which I am sure goes considerably further than the just the readership of this article.

I am a father of 3 and jogged, irregularly with one of my sons. We needed a little motivational help, which is exactly what we found the first day we visited our local Parkrun in Bramhall.

Since then each of my children have taken part, as has my father, my partner and our nephew, who subsequently joined a local running club. Three generations, running together on a Saturday morning, encouraged by those around us of similar abilities and inspired by the more capable runners.

The Parkrun brings together a real mix of people including those who simply wish to become a little more active, those taking their first steps towards a life of running and those wishing to maintain their love of the sport. Running clubs, as any sports clubs, can appear intimidating, particularly to somebody who has little experience in the sport.

The parkruns offer a softer, more inviting introduction to running that feels so inclusive. This may be due to the casual turn-up-and-run approach, the beautiful open venues and the fantastic volunteers that dedicate such effort into running the events. However, I think it is most likely the unique mix of ages and abilities that can be seen running side-by-side wearing smiles on their faces.

Long may Parkrun continue.

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paulfzco says...
10:47am Thu 11 Feb 10

The English really do have this meanness of spirit streak in them and it is demoralising to see it surface in Mr Elders's objection.

This event gets me out of bed early on a cold Saturday morning to enjoy, yes enjoy, a casual run with others.

I am not a club member, harrier (whatever that is) or beholden to any other faction, I am a lone runner.

This event has helped me get fit, get my blood pressure down and got me thinking about my diet.

It's free, has a fantastic buzz and the variety of runners makes me smile. To support it I will even volunteer to help out as it depends on goodwill, a fantastic quality to encourage.

To coin my teenage daughter's expression, Mr Elders - get a life!

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Heidi, Cambridge says...
10:59am Thu 11 Feb 10

As one of the organisers of the new Cambridge parkrun, I find Mr Elders’s proposal of a boycott rather sad and believe he has entirely failed to understand how parkrun works.

Fortunately our local clubs have been very keen to support our parkrun and I firmly believe the events to be mutually beneficial to runners and running clubs. The runners get to take part in a friendly, free event and the clubs benefit from increased membership and a weekly event for their runners to enjoy.

Seeing dozens of smiling faces crossing the finish line and being thanked by people who never dreamed they’d run 5k is truly wonderful. The great uptake we’ve had in the Cambridge area is testament to parkrun's huge appeal. From highly competitive club runners to whole families just out to enjoy the atmosphere and the fun of doing something healthy together, we encourage everyone to come along.

I sincerely hope that instead of boycotting the event, people choose to come along and see for themselves the very positive impact parkruns are having.

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peter bodley-scott says...
11:01am Thu 11 Feb 10

I will leave it to the organisers of Park Run and Mr Elder to discuss the statements made by Mr Elder.

I could also provide comment on the positive influence that Park Run is making on many thousands of peoples lives but others on this thread have this more than covered.

I would however like to congratulate Mr Elder on identifying an excellent opportunity to increase Membership at all UK Athletics Clubs as well as increase the entries at ‘licenced’ races nationwide.

I would suggest that Mr Elder writes a new email to all UK clubs (and UK Athletics) along the lines of the following:

1. Highlighting that Park Run attracts several thousand runners every week. The majority of which are fairly new to running and that they are not currently members of UK Athletics Clubs.

2. Park Run therefore creates an excellent opportunity for local running clubs to market themselves (for free) at their local Park Run event. Club runners should be encouraged to attend the Park Run events in club running kit and integrate with all the non-club runners. Club runners should make themselves available to share advice on running and club membership with the non-club runners who attend.

3. Club runners could also use Park Run to promote their own club events to Park Run runners, therefore increasing the numbers at ‘licenced’ club races.

Everyone wins from this approach.

1. Athletics Clubs are able to recruit new members as well as increase entries to their races.

2. Park Run runners get to speak with more experienced runners and learn more about running and club membership in a very relaxed and informal environment.

3. Park Run gets more runners.

4. UK Athletics get more people involved in Club running and racing. They also get their fees!!

If Mr Elder would like assistance with drafting this email then I am more than happy to help.

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Carlo64 says...
11:02am Thu 11 Feb 10

This is probably the most vacuous article I've read (it's certainly the first that irritated me enough to comment).
I'm a member of a club, I have also run parkruns. I joined a UKA club AFTER running my first parkrun as I enjoyed it so much. Since running parkrun I have entered other entry-fee based events too (parkrun started me off as it were).
The article is factually incorrect,(e.g. Parkrun pay for a licence from UKA).
However it is clear that Mr Elders has adopted a completely jobsworth mentality to the parkrun event. The fear of his position being usurped by a inspiring grassroots event that is an unqualified success (35,000 runners voting with their feet).
The man has made himself a laughing stock! With him obviously having too much time on his hands to use it productively (and in need of a proper job), maybe he should volunteer at a parkrun!

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parkrunner says...
11:09am Thu 11 Feb 10

I am a regular participant and volunteer at Brighton and Hove Parkrun. I am also someone who has only joined a running club relatively recently.
Mr Elder states that he is all in favour of increasing the numbers in running. How does he think a boycott of Parkrun by Clubs is going to achieve this?
Parkrun is the ideal beginning for many starting out on their running life. It is non threatening, non elitist and you will be welcomed and encouraged if you are first or last.
I have watched Parkrun Brighton and Hove grow in numbers in the last 18 months and witnessed many participants have the courage to try a local race and/or to join a local club to take their running a stage further.
Many members of our three local clubs, Arena, Brighton and Hove and Phoenix regularly participate in Parkrun and socialise afterwards - I hope we have demonstrated that we are a friendly bunch and I am sure it has debunked any myth that running clubs are elitist. Mr Elder, please remember that events like Parkrun are the source of some your future talent. Please remember also that volunteering and "putting something back" is very much in the ethos of Parkrun. Having 200 or so runners is a great way to publicise and recruit marshalls for local races and parkrun has done much to promote this. If you don't have marshalls you can't have races and we will all lose out.
I echo the sentiments contained in many of the other emails.
Please Mr Elder get yourself along to one of the Parkrun events - you may be pleasantly surprised.
Long Live Parkrun!

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princessdave says...
11:28am Thu 11 Feb 10

I find myself irritated by Alan Elders elitist, ill-informed attitude to parkrun. I ran my first Basingstoke parkrun in Feb09 and have completed 24 events since, taking 10 minutes off my PB. I started training for parkrun as i wanted to beat my PB every week, as I ran faster I signed up for 8km, 10km and 10 mile races paying an entry fee for all events. Only by starting parkrun did I build the confidence to enter these events and now do one every month. It seems absurd to criticise an event that welcomes runners of all abilities, shapes and sizes to the joy of regular running. I am planning to run the Newcastle parkrun at the end of February and can only hope that the athletic clubs of the North-East do not listen to this drivel and continue to embrace parkrun!

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BlueWombat says...
12:00pm Thu 11 Feb 10

I am a member of my local running club _and_ involved in the local parkrun. My club takes part in local inter-club leagues (Frostbite Friendly 5m races in the winter, and a series of 5km races in the summer). None of these have an entry fee. By Alan Elders' reasoning these should also be banned. His gripes sound like sour grapes to me. It is a shame that he can't recognise that sport, exercise, and recreation for all that parkrun provides is not a threat, but a potential boon to UK athletics.

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Charles Hampden-Smith says...
12:38pm Thu 11 Feb 10

I'm sorry Mr Elders but you should have researched this before speaking out...
I see you are treasurer of a 'start fitness' league. It's therefore extremely surprising to me that you should be against parkrun.
I started doing the local parkrun a couple of years ago. Prior to that I hadn't done any running or proper exercise since leaving school nearly 30 years ago. parkrun is now an important fixture in my weekly diary and I'm there each week if I possibly can be. Typically I also run a couple of other times in the week and am fitter now than at any time since I was 18. So parkrun has been fantastic for me to 'start fitness' and maintain it...
I'm not currently a member of a club but have been contemplating it. Prior to parkrun I didn't think I had the ability to join a running club but now realise that was incorrect and most running clubs are open to all abilities. I have however undertaken a few official races in the past couple of years (10k's and 1/2 m) and so I assume UKA has benefited from my entry fees to those events.
parkrun is not a race, except perhaps for the very top runners. For the vast majority it is a race against yourself and perhaps a few other parkrunners who you know run at approximately the same time as you. It's also a great community event and a chance to get out and meet other local people.
parkrun has had a significant impact on my life and I'm sorry Mr Elders but if you're seriously interested in getting people fitter then you need to reconsider.

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boro_park_runner says...
2:54pm Thu 11 Feb 10

Quite frankly I'm amazed by Mr Elders comments, I regularly run the Middlesbrough park run and it is only due to this marvelous event that I have recently had the confidence to join a running club. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be running regularly and finishing my first Middlesbrough 10K in under an hour I'd of laughed at them, but thanks to park run and it's amazing organisers and marshalls (who give up their own precious free time) I now enjoy running. It is brilliant to turn up on a cold, wet, foggy Saturday morning (as it was this Saturday) and see people from 5 to 75 all joining in but competing against no-one but them selves and the same cheers and congratulations are handed out to every finisher from the first to the last. In fact the later finishers probably receive the bigger cheers as so many of us have been there we know the effort it takes to get round when you first start out. To suggest that clubs should boycott park run is both short sighted and irresponsible. Mr Elder please visit our park run and see just how wrong you are.

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Tom Williams Leeds says...
3:27pm Thu 11 Feb 10

As the president of my local running club I have to say I completely disagree with the comments made by Mr Elder. Since our club has become involved with parkrun Leeds we have seen our membership drastically increase and perhaps more pertinent to Mr Elder's objections the percentage of our runners who feel confident enough to enter paid races, as a direct result of starting out in the park, has increased drastically. Having never entered more than one runner in the national cross country championships, this year we have nearly 20! We now also have a thriving club championships which takes in ten races during the season, one of which is parkrun, over varied distances.

Parkrun has transformed running in so many areas of the country and will no doubt revolutionise our sport in the years to come, not only in terms of participation but also with regards high performance.

I for one am looking forward to the journey.

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stockportrunner says...
3:40pm Thu 11 Feb 10

I would like to congratulate Alan Elders on his ingenious comments. At first read, I too, was ready to leap to the defence of parkrun and praise the creators and volunteers for all of the hard work they do, so that a bunch of previous strangers can become friends whilst enjoying a run on a Saturday morning.
Like many that have commented before me, I only started running again after hearing about parkrun and have since joined up for more races and paid my fees for these.
As such I was initially shocked and horrified that a person who is treasurer of a league with ‘Start Fitness’ in its title should want to boycott events that encourage people like myself, who would have never dreamed of considering joining a running club, to start to run a regular basis and actually enjoy doing so!
Therefore the only conclusion that I can come to is that Mr Elders did not just give such an ill informed interview to highlight the greatness of parkrun, but to bring his own selfconfessed ‘small’ running club, Low Fell Running Club, to national attention.
Unfortunately, as previous comments have shown, he has done so at the cost of making himself a national joke.

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Jo-Bee says...
4:04pm Thu 11 Feb 10

What a fantastic advert for Low Fell Fell Running Club - come and join us if you have an ill informed elitist selfish attitude!
In one fell swoop he has damaged the reputation of all running clubs across the country and will have put off many runners who do not feel confident to join a club. Parkrun's attitude and community spirit is to be appluaded and something he and his snobby club could learn from.
I hope the club take disciplinary action against this embarrasment - preferably by kicking him out.
UKA should also consider action for bringing the sport into disrepute.
How about a campaign to boycott races organised by his snobby club?

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MuddyIdiot says...
4:56pm Thu 11 Feb 10

What a fantastic advert for Saltwell Harrier's running club. A far nicer more inclusive, non-elitist club just up the road from Low Fell ;-)

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dockie says...
5:14pm Thu 11 Feb 10

Well done Mr Elders...i will be boycotting the Angel View and Watergate races, organised by your club.

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mickeyturn says...
5:50pm Thu 11 Feb 10

I'm a co-director of a parkrun event and a local running club Membership Secretary. I know that some members of our club had concerns that a weekly 5k could have a detrimental affect on our club's ability to put out strong teams in Saturday afternoon league races. This, most definitely, has not been the case. On Surrey League cross country weekends, for example, we see a decline in parkun numbers due to the commitment of parkrunners to their clubs. Conversely on the few weekends when there aren't many local events we see parkrun numbers increase.

Without local running clubs the Roundshaw Downs event would not have started, and we would struggle to run the event without the continued volunteer support of local running clubs members. Having said that we are very mindful not to make the event clubby, as approximately 2/3rds of our runners are non-club members.

My club's membership is growing at a record rate, and is at an all-time high. We are very inclusive and cater for runners of all abilities - perfectly in line with the parkrun ethos. Not all clubs necessarily are.

Mick Turner

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kbenjamin says...
7:40pm Thu 11 Feb 10

At first I was very angry about Mr Elders comments. Now I'm angry and sad. I'm sad that someone who claims to care about running in his community should be so blind to the benefits that parkrun brings to running and the local community.

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Still surprised says...
8:10pm Thu 11 Feb 10

Well everyone's entitled to an opinion, but it's clear that Mr Elder's thoughts on parkrun aren't winning him any friends. I've been a regular runner and volunteer since it started and it's one of the best things I've ever done. I've made new friends, joined Billingham Marsh House Harriers (a truly friendly, inclusive club), entered far more races using my lovely UK athletics membership than I would ever have dreamed of, and seen my running improve hugely. parkrun is for everyone, and it's the only free event I know of where 8 year olds can run with 80 year olds in a safe friendly environment. I've seen people whose lives have been changed around because they got off the couch into grass-roots sport, and yes, as someone else has said, it's often the ones who come last who get the biggest cheers. They're brave, they're determined - and they're very welcome!

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kitbag says...
8:10pm Thu 11 Feb 10

I'm honestly staggered by the comments of Mr Elders, his views stink of the elitist claptrap that accompany many club run events, where non running club entrants are classed as second class citizens.
Parkrun has changed many peoples lives, socially as well as for fitness.
The Finsbury Park run is in its infancy but the numbers are increasing and I would welcome Mr Elders to experience the great camaraderie that exists there himself.

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whatfettle says...
8:12pm Thu 11 Feb 10

Low Fell is my nearest club and that article reminds me of what put me off joining. parkrun Newcastle is enjoyed by club runners from all the major Tyneside and local area clubs. For those of you who don't know, Low Fell is what many would call a 'posh' area of Gateshead. The main two running clubs in Gateshead are Gateshead Harriers and Birtley AC and both clubs are represented at parkrun Newcastle. Low Fell isn't represented (so far).

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whatfettle says...
8:20pm Thu 11 Feb 10

Whoops. I forgot about Saltwell Harriers!

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rongosling says...
10:15pm Thu 11 Feb 10

So, it would seem that as an entrenched supporter of committees and the governance of runners, Alan Elders, wants his objections to park runs moved to the top of some agenda. As a member of a running club I can understand this and have to disagree with some of the other comments made against his views.
Purely for research, I have run with my children at several events, and to my horror they've actually enjoyed them. They've wanted to return. Obviously I haven't allowed this... although I've taken them to the cinema instead to try and wean them off any potential obsession with this running for "enjoyment" lark. It's good to see them slouching with their popcorn... like proper children. I do, however, remain worried about what will happen when the warm weather returns.
In order to correct this blight - created by park runs - it might now be the time to enforce the athletics running licence for anyone seen to exceed an acceptable walking pace; and thus create the financial climate in which proper officials, with uniforms, sticks, clipboards and waxed moustaches (for both sexes) can attain the level of control to which they were born.

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Sharon Rowe says...
10:24pm Thu 11 Feb 10

After reading this, I am almost at a loss for words. I say almost. Mr Elder, your comments are ill-informed, poorly researched and inaccurate. parkrun for me has been a life-changing thing to be a part of. Never would I have dreamed that I could run a half marathon, I have now run three. I have done numerous 10k's and am a member of the "100 Club" at parkrun, what a proud day that was when I was presented with my 100 Club shirt. For me, that is prize enough! It took dedication from Paul Sinton-Hewitt to set it up in the first place, it takes dedication from all the volunteers and dedication from the runners who turn out in rain, hail, snow and sunshine!

I also never thought that I would/could join a running club. I am now proudly a member of Ranelagh Harriers and have been welcomed despite being "speed challenged". I have run for the club in county XC races and have received so much encouragement from my fellow team members. I wonder if someone like myself would receive the same encouragement from members of your running club, if your attitude is an indicator I suspect not. I know that our club (and others in our area) have gained members as a result of parkrun, so I am astounded at your boycott request.

I would like you to go to a parkrun and experience it. The whole field, from Olympians who complete in 14 minutes, to those who have a personal challenge to complete and do so in much longer, take part together. You would see the real sense of pride and community. You would see the looks of sheer delight on people's faces as they complete something they didn't think they could - yet you wish to deprive people of that feeling as a result of your proposed boycott.

Running is touted as being one of the easiest sports to get into, all you need is a pair of trainers. With parkrun, that is certainly true. People have got into running who would never have done so, as a result of parkrun. Juniors are starting to excel by joining local clubs and being mentored by older parkrunners, which they perhaps would not have had access to without parkrun. These juniors are the future of British running and should be encouraged and nurtured. parkrun provides just this kind of environment - but according to you, must be boycotted.

I wish your club and races much success. However, I fear you may have damaged both with your comments.

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Free Runner says...
11:06pm Thu 11 Feb 10

I was going to comment on this story, but having then read the terms and conditions, I'm not sure I can find the words to describe this pompous little man.
Let him stay in his own little world, whilst the rest of us enjoy our running in ours.
I also will never be seen at his league and club races in future. Well Done.

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Paul Sinton-Hewitt says...
12:36pm Fri 12 Feb 10

I would like to thank everyone who has either added a comment to the Northern Echo website or who has emailed me to show their support for parkrun, given the recent call to boycott us. I am so gratified for the comments and personal testimonies that you have provided.
I believe that the article does not necessarily represent the views of either the Low Fell Running Club or those of the governing body, but are simply Mr Elder’s personal opinions, to which he is perfectly entitled.
This debate could easily have been avoided if the basic facts had been checked before the article was published. Never mind, many parkrunners have eloquently conveyed the ethos of parkrun and removed any questions about our value.
For the avoidance of doubt and to clarify an issue picked up from the various forums, parkrun is committed to providing as many free 5K events across the UK as possible, thereby introducing many previous non-runners to our sport and growing the local running communities in the process. parkrun will not change this winning formula by including any distances greater that 5K. 5K is the perfect distance for these free events that takes place every Saturday, run by volunteers.
I am firmly in support of paid races and even more in support of clubs. I would be bitterly disappointed if any clubs and especially Low Fell Running Club were put in a bad light because of this episode. Please do not react by boycotting Low Fell Running Club or their events.
Once again, thanks to everyone who has reacted so positively to this issue.

Paul

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DominicShields says...
1:23pm Fri 12 Feb 10

Thanks for the very erudite, reasoned and diplomatic response Paul especially in the light of what must have come as deeply-felt and unfair criticism of your fantastic work.
Mr Elders could go a long way towards redeeming himself by putting a full retraction and apology on here. The question is: are you big enough Mr Elders ?

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lshaw says...
3:43pm Fri 12 Feb 10

This narrow minded idiots comments makes my blood boil !
I run the Middlesbrough park run when im not working and it is an amazing event and certainly not a race i complete the 5k in around 34mins and would never dream of joining a running club (Even if you paid me I would not join Low Fell running club!)
I would like to know how Mr Alder suggest I improve my time if parkrun was not availabe to me ?? Running by myself - becoming un-motivated by the lack of support or perhaps joining a gym at a cost of approx £40 a month ?? As one of the last in the pack each week, the support from both runners and volenteers (maybe not the dog walkers but thats another tale!) makes me want to improve my time and health by returning weekly knowing im not going to be laughed at or made to feel like I dont fit in - This support and guidence is obviously something Mr Alder does not offer at his running club as surely he would have nothing but praise for Park Run getting people like myself into such a good habit !

Mr Alder i pity you if you have nothing else to do with your time than complain about such an amazing and positive event

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Sweder says...
5:21pm Fri 12 Feb 10

Indeed, Mr Elders seems to have missed the point. Or several points.

The most important thing about ParkRun is its accessibility to runners (and wannabe runners) of all ages, sizes, abilities and ambitions. ParkRuns do attract regular whippets who compete for points running uber-fast times (around fifteen minutes). But for every one of those there's five fair-to-middling runners looking to improve and another five taking their first tentative running/ jogging steps onto the public paths. This is comparable to joining a gym for the first time. It's a daunting prospect, all those musle-bound jocks noisily lifting four times their own body weight, comparing tattoos and snacking on raw, bloody meat. ParkRun is a welcoming, friendly environment with no agenda other than to make running safe, controlled and open to everyone.

There's room in running for both hard-and-fast running clubs and ParkRun. Our local PR (Hove Park) attracts runners from local clubs Arena and Brighton & Hove Athletics Club. Both clubs are thriving and compete regularly on the XC circuit. The only affect ParkRun has had on these clubs is perhaps to give some of their runners a (free) opportunity to hone their skills over three miles.

I'm a fairly cynical sort usually and I've been waiting for the ParkRun 'catch'. Aside from unabtrusive sponsorships ParkRun has remained relatively ad-free and, as Mr Elders splutters indignantly, refuses to charge members a subscription or race fee. There's no sign of any nasty surprises, just heaps of goodwill and selfless volunteering that makes ParkRun accessible to anyone who wants to pull on their runners and have a go.

I'm sure the brains at ParkRun are smart enough to come up with a solution should UK Athletics find themselves between a technical rock and a pedantic hard place. How about declaring each ParkRun a 'training session against the clock'? Perhaps, as in that excellent Brad Pitt/ Ed Norton vehicle, ParkRun will be driven underground:

The first rule of ParkRun is, you do not talk about ParkRun

Get a life Mr Elders.

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alan LFRC says...
5:44pm Fri 12 Feb 10

The original email by Alan did not include the club or any organisation and was aimed at local club Committees for discussion. However due to using a distribution list it has resulted in unanticipated national publicity and brought about National discussion. Several points raised are to be discussed between UKA and Parkrun. The objections by alan are that the UKA Licence terms and conditions should be met for the events as they hold a licence.
The licence has specific conditions and is available on the race directors
portal of www.runbritain.com/r
dp/ under the "pre event application form."

I appreciate the general discussion and regularly help out at other events and thank those who have supported the raising of the issue including Parkrun who referred to it in their Newsletter.

Alan Elders

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DominicShields says...
6:21pm Fri 12 Feb 10

Alan, thanks for responding, I'm very concerned that your email ended up being quoted in a newspaper which thanks to the internet has a wide circulation and am pleased to see your full retraction. No doubt your club's website will be encouraging all your members to register and take part in parkrun very soon. I will be keeping an eye out for this.
Regards
Dominic

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kevanwilkinson says...
6:58pm Fri 12 Feb 10

Last October my wife and i decided to start running, we started to jog for a few miles on the flat stretches of our regular weekly walk mainly to make the walk a little bit more challenging.

This led to mid week jogs in our local park which is also the site of our local athletics track and home to the local running club.

Twice a week we would jog for 20 or 30 minutes and found ourselves being forced off the paths by the local club runners who showed little sign of wanting to encourage two novice outsiders or even suggesting that we should join their club.

We felt like we were slightly inferior and any thoughts about joining a running club to help develop our new found activity diminished.

Not to be put off we discovered Parkrun and found out that a run was held nearby in Bromley. Cautiously we went to our first event and found the atmosphere to be much more welcoming and less intimidating than our encounters with the local running club.

After a few weeks we had the confidence to consider entering some other events and by Christmas we had completed several 5k and a 10 k 'fun runs' - i expect Mr Elders would not be too approving of these events either, people dressed up as reindeer whatever next!

Well the next thing was we joined a running club, albeit not our local club but this is partly due to their unwelcoming, superior attitude.

We then started entering more serious events run by local clubs - including one run by our local club - we just hope that they do not mind us finishing a long time after them.

Our experience of Parkrun therefore has been the complete opposite of Mr Elders accusation, without Parkrun we would not have joined a club or entered local events.


I am always surprised that the majority of entrants in local races are not members of a club, admittedly some are not the type who want to join organisations, very few are regular parkrun so that organisation cannot be blamed for turning their eyes away from joining a local club. Perhaps like us they are just put off by the attitude of some club runners they meet along the way?

I suspect that Mr Elders is a little like the club runners who push past us on our mid week jogs, perhaps he should take off his blinkers and find out how he can help his local club to encourage and attract more members?

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max1872 says...
8:58pm Fri 12 Feb 10

Maybe parkrun should steer clear of UKA officialdom and think about joining ARC, the Association of Running Clubs? They provide permits and insurance for running events as an alternative to UK Athletics.

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Danny Norman says...
9:31pm Fri 12 Feb 10

If that is the real Alan Elders, I'd like to say hello to you. I've looked at the form in question and I'm astonished. You're seriously going to press parkrun on this matter? Creating more red tape to something that is helping athletics in a far superior way than any stiflingly bureaucratic insistence can? Please, let this one go, you've unified almost everyone else against you and you're swimming against a tide. In this modern environment of social media, take a time to look at the empassioned feeling you have caused against your stance and realise that I and thousands of others will not stop running parkrun on a Saturday morning because you want a form filled in. I am a paid up member of 3 running clubs, enter numerous races and love running immensely. parkrun is benefical in every way you probably think it isn't. Don't try to stop or destroy it, you'll only end up being the villain in this piece and the parkrun ethos is communal. Please, I implore you, get behind it and we'll love you. Take a firm stance and you'll find you'll only hurt those you think you are helping.

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Hollybean says...
12:06pm Sat 13 Feb 10

I love parkrun! It gets me up on a Saturday morning and out into the fresh air. Attending the Middlesbrough parkrun since July 2008 has been the best thing I've done in years. I hadn't run before so this was a great way to get started. It's a fantastic way to get fit and meet other people in a friendly environment. I'm not fast but that doesn't matter, no one minds, and as others have said, you get the loudest cheers for coming in at the back! I've made many new friends whilst running and volunteering. I've also joined Billingham Marsh House Harriers! A fantastic club. I wouldn't have had the nerve to join if I hadn't been in parkrun. Off marshalling at Absent Friends race tomorrow for Marsh House with a number of other fellow parkrunners!

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Julie from Bramhall says...
11:50pm Sun 14 Feb 10

I am biased, being a parkrun runner and volunteer. I have taken my 3 sons, many friends, niece and nephew to the event, and all of us have been cheered on and encouraged by the fantastic team at Bramhall.

I was never a runner in my youth or even at school, now in my 40's I have found a local event which keeps me fit, challenges me and gets me out of bed on Saturday mornings.

I would never have gone anywhere near a running club without the confidence I gained from parkrun. I have since been to Stockport Harriers (on a pay-as-you-go basis), have run a 10k and am registered for a half marathon later this year. I will never be a fast runner, and I suspect that this would make me unwelcome at many clubs (not at Stockport Harriers, which is a lovely, welcoming club).

All power to the parkrun team. As the comments here prove, many of Alan Elders' running club colleagues have a better understanding than he does that parkrun is complementary to, not competitive with club running. Many club runners use our local event as a way to tune up for longer distances or measure their progress, so parkrun is helping them get a regular run, and people like me to do something active, with some of us moving on to paid-for clubs and entering races.

I thank Alan Elder for giving us all a chance to rally behind parkrun. Boycotts are not needed - just an appreciation that there is space both for elite running events and for parkrun.

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DominicShields says...
12:05am Mon 15 Feb 10

On Saturday I ran the Cardiff parkrun then the Gwent Cross Country League at Brecon in the afternoon and it was gratifying how many people spoke to me about this article utterly baffled as to Alan Elders' reasoning and we're talking hard-core, dyed in the wool, "30 years man and boy" club runners here.

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