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Call for Parkruns to be boycotted (From The Northern Echo)
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Call for Parkruns to be boycotted
10:03am Tuesday 9th February 2010
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.
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Your Say YourNorth-East
Chris Phelan, Banstead Woods says...
1:45pm Tue 9 Feb 10
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
Nicola Stevenson, Wallington, Surrey says...
10:06pm Tue 9 Feb 10
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.
lisa shennan, coulsdon says...
8:51am Wed 10 Feb 10
Nicki Clark, says...
11:18am Wed 10 Feb 10
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.
RogerSWilson, Hampton, Middx says...
11:31am Wed 10 Feb 10
David Priddy, Windsor says...
5:53pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Andy Stalley, Sutton, Surrey says...
10:32pm Wed 10 Feb 10
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.
DominicShields, Cardiff says...
11:23pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Funnyman, bromley says...
7:45am Thu 11 Feb 10
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!!!
robertheppell, Brighton says...
9:38am Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
toobloo, Glossop says...
9:53am Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
Peter Collins, Wimbledon, London says...
10:18am Thu 11 Feb 10
ukcannuck, Teddington says...
10:18am Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
Lucy Perrin, Reading says...
10:30am Thu 11 Feb 10
If any thing Alan Eldon should be giving parkrun a big thank you for bringing the joy of running to so many new people.
markgreenwood, says...
10:35am Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
cliffajw, Stockport says...
10:41am Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
paulfzco, London says...
10:47am Thu 11 Feb 10
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!
Heidi, Cambridge, Cambridge says...
10:59am Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
peter bodley-scott, New Malden says...
11:01am Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
Carlo64, Feltham says...
11:02am Thu 11 Feb 10
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!
parkrunner, HOVE says...
11:09am Thu 11 Feb 10
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!
princessdave, Basingstoke says...
11:28am Thu 11 Feb 10
BlueWombat, says...
12:00pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Charles Hampden-Smith, Wimbledon says...
12:38pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
boro_park_runner, Stockton-on-Tees says...
2:54pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Tom Williams Leeds, Leeds says...
3:27pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
stockportrunner, Stockport says...
3:40pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
Jo-Bee, Blyth says...
4:04pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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?
MuddyIdiot, Durham says...
4:56pm Thu 11 Feb 10
dockie, Shilbottle says...
5:14pm Thu 11 Feb 10
mickeyturn, South Norwood says...
5:50pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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
kbenjamin, Sutton Surrey says...
7:40pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Still surprised, Middlesbrough says...
8:10pm Thu 11 Feb 10
kitbag, london says...
8:10pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
whatfettle, Gateshead says...
8:12pm Thu 11 Feb 10
whatfettle, Gateshead says...
8:20pm Thu 11 Feb 10
rongosling, Marske by Sea says...
10:15pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
Sharon Rowe, Isleworth, Middx says...
10:24pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
Free Runner, says...
11:06pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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.
Paul Sinton-Hewitt, Twickenham says...
12:36pm Fri 12 Feb 10
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
DominicShields, Cardiff says...
1:23pm Fri 12 Feb 10
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 ?
lshaw, Middlesbrough says...
3:43pm Fri 12 Feb 10
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
Sweder, Lewes says...
5:21pm Fri 12 Feb 10
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.
alan LFRC, Tyne and Wear says...
5:44pm Fri 12 Feb 10
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
DominicShields, Cardiff says...
6:21pm Fri 12 Feb 10
Regards
Dominic
kevanwilkinson, London says...
6:58pm Fri 12 Feb 10
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?
max1872, says...
8:58pm Fri 12 Feb 10
Danny Norman, Hampton says...
9:31pm Fri 12 Feb 10
Hollybean, Middlesbrough says...
12:06pm Sat 13 Feb 10
Julie from Bramhall, Stockport says...
11:50pm Sun 14 Feb 10
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.
DominicShields, Cardiff says...
12:05am Mon 15 Feb 10
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RunningBob, Bramhall says...
12:54pm Tue 9 Feb 10
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.