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Feedback from the field - edited emails received


Paul,

I have just read the article about UKA and I think this guy has an absolute cheek asking us to boycott parkrun. I am a member of Scottish Athletics and have to pay them an Annual fee as well as having to pay each time I race in one of their events, a situation I think is totally out of order. When something like parkrun comes along it is seen as a breath of fresh air within most of the running fraternity. Where else do you get to run against quality runners at a well organised event that you don't have to pay or put a race number on? Also the issue of runners not participating in UKA events so they can parkrun on a Saturday morning is ridiculous. As a runner you run where and when you can and I am sure most runners will in fact go to the major events with their clubs where possible but if they cannot make it then parkrun is an able substitute. I could go on all day but I will draw a line here. I am looking forward to running and seeing my fellow parkrunners again at Glasgow on Saturday after a long lay off.

Keep on (park) running,

Cheers,

Mick Harrington,

Greenock Glenpark Harriers.




Hi

To date I have been a fair weather runner and had it not been for the other 100 people who met at Coventry parkrun last Saturday, I probably would still be. It was a cold, foggy morning, but I really felt a sense of achievement having got myself there and completed the course, albeit in 36.15 mins. It can only get better, at least!!! I for one will definitely not be boycotting parkrun and neither will my friends. This is a fun, lighthearted opportunity for people to exercise on a Saturday morning with likeminded others.

Thank you organisers, volunteers and sponsors – you've got me running again and hopefully I can make it an all year exercise from now on.

Caroline



Paul,

I was dumbfounded reading that persons comments & heartened by the mass of support the article has generated.

He's shown himself up to be the epitome of everything wrong with the old brigade who unfortunately think that Athletics, XC & Road Running are still in the early 1900s.

Carry on the great work, & I no doubt one day look forward to reading of you being honoured for your services to running, health, community & just about everything else which parkrun stands for, fosters & helps build.

My only regret is still not having earned that first red shirt after debuting under the old 'Bushy Park Time Trial' guise of 2005. Only 20 to go, maybe this year…

Yours,

Paul Chapman


Paul,

The comments by Alan Elders are not representative. I am one of many runners who belong to a running club and also help out and take part in parkrun events.

I also organise events for my club - Wilmslow RC and we find that rather than taking away runners from other events parkrun increases the numbers competing in our events.

A lot of beginners who might have been uneasy about entering a 'running club organised event' in case they show themselves up, find when they meet us at parkrun that we are normal people, not all superfit athletes and this helps them to feel comfortable about entering other races for the first time.

Regards

Malcolm Fowler
Wilmslow Running Club



Hello Paul

I have only taken part in one parkrun but thought it was great. I would take part more often if there was one close to me.

I live in Dumfries, 80 miles from my nearest parkrun - Glasgow. I am a member of Dumfries Running Club and take part in over 30 "official" races each year. These are from short cross country relay races to 24 hour track races. I have represented Scotland in the 100K. All of these races require speed training and if I had a parkrun closer to hand I would be using them for that purpose.

After taking part in one of the Glasgow runs I sent a group e-mail to all my club mates telling them of my experience, praising the organisation and volunteers, and finally recommending that they should give it a try if ever they got the chance.

I think the parkruns are a great way of giving all runners an opportunity to get out and run in the way they want to. When I took part I saw a good few "race" while I saw others like myself having a hard training run but the majority of participants looked to me like they were fun runners or beginners who were using the events to just have fun.

I wish you continued success and will not support the boycott. I am sure Mr Elders will get little, if any, support for his suggestion.

Please feel free to use this e-mail or any part of it.

regards

Les Hill
Dumfries Running Club



Re. Mr Elder's comments, he definitely needs to get out more!

The parkruns are great - a great idea, a great model and very well organised - in my view.

As you'll see from your stats, I only ran my first parkrun at Bramhall last week, having been meaning to get around to it for a while. It was hell at the time but the post-completion euphoria of achieving the simple objective of getting round and getting the measure of the course for next time, has continued all week and I'm really looking forward to this Saturday and aiming to improve my time and quality of run…which for me is what it is all about!

Like so may other runners, I have a demanding full-time job, and fit in running solo where and when I can according to a training plan I picked up off the internet. My work commitments don't afford me the option of a regular local running club routine and the particularly awesome high standards of my local club are too daunting anyway right now…but I aim to get there eventually.

As everyone knows, getting out on your own four times a week is hard week after week. So the Saturday parkrun gives me a unique opportunity to run one of these sessions sociably with the bonus of an informal, relaxed benchmarking opportunity, me against myself and others.

I got back into my running last year after a 20+ year gap when I signed up for a work-based group entry into the Manchester 10k on a whim. At the time, I needed to develop a training plan to get to the entry point of a "proper" training plan! I've now got the Wilmslow Half-marathon (another 20+ year reunion), the Manchester 10k, the Tatton 10k, and the Great North Run in my sights as my goals. I plan to become a parkrun regular and to fit my parkrun volunteering slots (which I shall definitely sign up for) around my race schedule.

So, thanks for leading the parkrun programme and making it available to all of us. I for one echo all the other expressions of gratitude and appreciation that you and your team have received already.

Best regards

Claire



I was sorry to hear of Mr Elder's criticism of the parkrun events. Here in Cardiff we have one, and two of the local running clubs have reported an increase in membership as a direct result. We all benefit from anything which encourages people to run, and should be supporting each other in our efforts.

Alan Mason



Paul,

A colleague of mine recommended parkrun to me, but as I have been away the last 2 weekends, I have not been able to do it. I will do shortly though!

I think your offering is brilliant and my wife and I are looking forward to giving it a shot! It is a great way of getting local communities to get up off their couches and enjoy our parks and lovely environment.

I wish you continued success and please do not mind the begrudgers!

I might suggest that you set up a facebook group that you can use to communicate to all your members (if you have not done so already). This will also really help you spread awareness of the service that you provide. It also will show you the level of support that people have for this great idea and organisation.

A few examples of facebook communication for local business- the local spinning class in Putney has 329 members and they communicate with is all regularly. Secret london was set up over 4 weeks ago and already has over 190,000 members.

If you need any help, please let me know.

Thanks,

Dave Hackett



Dear Paul

I've been running for well over forty years. Mostly I've been lucky to run in well organised events like yours where the organisers give of their time.

I don't understand Mr Elders at all. This is a sport, not commercial competition and his unpleasantly authoritarian tone suggests a degree of jealousy that his particular branch has been upstaged. But people vote with their feet, literally – hence the success of parkruns – and these gatherings are bringing people and especially youngsters into running just as the original fun runs did thirty years ago. I remember how certain athletics officials used to look down their noses at the Sunday Times fun runs. Dave Moorcroft won my age group a couple of times, but he had to fight for it - these were proper aces as well!

People need confidence to start running for pleasure; the traditional club (and I have always belonged to one) can sometimes appear elitist and puts them off. Mr Elders should think about this before making further public remarks.

Kieron Fennelly



Morning Paul,

Having just read the newsletter I guffawed out loud at that silly man and his attempts to boycott parkrun. I'm sure those whose lives have been touched by the incredible work put in by yourself and volunteers - won't even bat an eye at what this man is saying. How sad that in a world where little is 'free' without some form of catch, someone has to pour scorn on it. parkrun is one of the most positive, inspiring, friendly and social running events I've ever known ... 'carry on McDuff' is what I say. Keep up the great work...

Helen Turton



Hi Paul

Just wanted to write in support of your comments re. Mr Elders article. My wife started going to the Hove parkrun a couple of months ago, and as a result she is now a paid up member of Worthing Striders Running Club. She has also convinced me to get off the sofa and run too, and I am now considering joining a club as well. I'm sure this has been the case with many more people across the country, and all because of the efforts of yourself and the rest of the volunteers. Keep up the good work!

Kind regards

Dave Wiliams



Dear Paul

Having just read this weeks news letter I was incredibly disappointed in the actions of Alan Elder as reported. I know that many other parkrunners may share my view that by participating at parkrun events over the country we have found a level of running at which we enjoy, is supported by like minded enthusiasts and officiated by the willing. My Saturday mornings have changed completely from a lie in where possible to an early rise to take myself willingly to Edinburgh to participate. I now 'train' through the week where I can and rest on a Friday in preparation for parkrun, something I have not done for many years.

parkrun has very much become a fixture of my free weekends and the friends I have who participate feel similarly. I am deeply indebted to those who give up their running time to offer their services to the smooth running and continual support of both the events and their participants. (I'm being careful not to use the word competitor lest it feed the Elder beast). When I arrive on any given Saturday I feel very much part of a community from the minute I park my car. I might not know many other participants but what I do know is that we are all there for the same enjoyable reason. Even when I stumble exhausted through the finish funnel I can clearly hear and see for myself that buzz about times, PB's, where's my barcode, freezing conditions, beating your mate, your mate beating you, silly hats, dodgy trainers, it's freezing in this queue, and on and on! Most of all Paul, smiles and laughter. Brilliant! I can safely assume that all parkruns have that buzz?

To Mr Elder, come along and soak it up. See how much parkrunners love their parkrun events and then report a little more positively upon an organisation that has given some of us a reason to belong and believe again. There are much worse things to do than belong to a sporting collective on a bitter Saturday morning but we'd rather be here.

Warmest wishes Paul

Davie Black (Edinburgh parkrun)

PS Well done Gary Frater who finally was able to compete in the event he's been officiating at since it's inception. He's a shining example of what parkrun is all about.



Hi Paul

Just read your note of Mr Elder, his objections to the parkrun and the adjoining article.

Looks like you can't even arrange to go for a run around the park without someone telling you you owe them money or they have the copy write.

Just wanted to let you know that what you and all the parkrun bods are doing is absolutely fantastic and exactly what running should be about.

I am sure you will find there is no support at all for Mr Elder; club runners and the unaffiliated alike will see that you are getting loads of people involved in running again. At the Glasgow event, a city with a pretty poor history of healthy living, people of every age group and fitness level are out giving it a go every week.

That is something to be really, really proud of!

As to Mr Elder, the world is full of petty bureaucrats whose only pleasure is spoiling it for others. You've found yours, treat him with the contempt he deserves.

Best,

David Dowling



Hi Paul
This will make you smile! I shuffle round on a parkrun Saturday morning (when I'm not working) and absolutely LOVE IT and have done for years! However, I have been a member of Stragglers running club for the same amount of time and never been brave enough to actually go a run with them, ever! (My fault not theirs! A kind of breaking the ice situation!) However, speaks volumes wouldn't you say! Many thanks for all your hard work. Very much appreciated.

Regards

Tricia Gallagher



Dear Paul,

I wanted to give my support in the face of Alan Elder's attack. My husband and I have just joined parkrun and our local run is Black Park. We LOVE it! It is wonderful that you have a weekly personal challenge to improve, it is a beautiful off road location, it is free and is a supplement to our weekly club running, speedy online results and tables are a real bonus as are the photos. We have lived in the area for 2 years and our only regret is that we didn't hear about it sooner.

I am utterly dismayed that anyone should wish to sabotage something that is so positive. What can be the motive for that?

We are moving to Lee-on-Solent in May and are dismayed that there isn't a parkrun near there. Any news on one starting in the near future?

I am positively evangelical about parkrun so any further support I can give you I will be happy to do so!

Claire Carroll



Hi Paul and team,

It is a pity that Alan has jumped to that conclusion about parkrun.

I have been running the Bushy Park parkrun for a over 4 years, initially as an occasional training aid towards my marathon training and more recently as a regular part of my running. Contrary to Alan's view, I have joined a running club in the last six months and now enter more races.

I cannot praise parkrun enough. I know many local people who have got into running because of it. It is a very easy way of having a go in a friendly and free environment.

Keep up the good work!

John Harrison-Church



Some people have too much time on their hands! You're right, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but this is clearly a bit of a stupid opinion, as the testimonies and parkrun's attendance figures in the rest of your email show. Keep up the good work and don't let the moaners get you down!

Best wishes
Aysha



Hi Rob,

I have just read the monthly parkrun letter and i was amazed to see the attack on the whole concept of the parkrun by mr elders, i then saw your riposte well said bro!! You make me so proud.

I for one would not have started club running without first experiencing the parkrun after a year of running solo it was a revelation to run with so many people who enjoyed their running so much, runners at all levels i particular remember clapping all the finishers home when i had done and feeling really good doing it. I am sure there are many like me who were encouraged to join clubs on the back of this experience.

Cheers

James



Hi,
Just a quick note to thank everyone at the whole parkrun system.

I read the article in the Northern Echo and posted a response. I joined Collingwood AC (Wallington) after running a few parkruns, I never would have had the courage to approach a club had I not had the exposure at Banstead Woods, in my head clubs were for greyhounds not bulldogs like myself! I have gone on to run many 10k & half marathons which I would not have done on my own.

I love receiving the email updates, it makes me still feel like a runner. I'm currently 6months pregnant and at 37yrs finding it quite tiring. I can't wait to get back to parkrun at Banstead/Roundshaw.

Lisa Shennan



Dear Paul

Very disappointed by the comments of Alan Elders. Please ignore him and carry on doing the fantastic job that you and all your colleagues are doing at parkrun. Although only an occasional a runner, I have spread the word constantly for the last two years and shall continue to do so. I think parkrun is great.

Yours

William Cashmore



Dear Paul

As both a club runner (Biggleswade AC) and a parkrunner (Cambridge) I'm very surprised at the letter from UKA.

The very fact I travel 50 miles return to do the Cambridge parkrun (I've only done it once but will return) shows the value of these events, giving an opportunity to clock a pb or just do a 5k in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, knowing that the course is accurately measured, alongside fellow runners.

Our club forum has a parkrun string on it, with members expressing how useful they think the runs will be for them. I think they could also be a very useful stepping stone for non-club runners to gain confidence and progress – possibly then joining a club. One of the most intimidating things about races is the amount of pumped up people in club vests (I've only been running 2 years so remember it well), so the fact that I only saw 1 or 2 vests out of 85 at Cambridge on Saturday made it feel less serious.

It might be useful for local clubs to be invited to have a stand at the events – so that people can talk to them and discuss what membership of these clubs is about – often it's as much about camaraderie and social events as it is about competing (well, it is for us anyway!).

Best wishes

Jon Balaam



Hi Paul,

I just wanted to say how angry I am about this article and although I am heartily cheered by the comments at the bottom and the discussions on runners world and elsewhere (including my usual online run club), this man's ill informed opinion of parkrun has me raving mad!

I'm hopefully about to participate at my 16th parkrun location this weekend. I honestly think that without parkrun I wouldnt be running any more and certainly not to the standard I am now. I got injured early on in my running journey and being able to go to a parkrun event and drop out after a few ks if I needed to without spending any money, but still driving to get fitter again was the most amazing thing. At one point I thought I'd never crack my 24:38 pb which stood for nearly a year (and that year included a pw of 29:34), and without parkrun I never would have. Nor would I have the confidence back to stand on the start line of races again knowing that I can complete the distance.

I'm not a club member (due to location and time commitments), but I do choose paid events that are run by clubs precisely to help them survive, I support the club scene for bringing on decent runners into great ones, but what parkrun does in addition to this is bring on complete begginers (and injury returners) and opens them up to the whole world of the sport, including the very best. It inspires me to do better (Crispy challenge anyone!) and supports me even when I am rubbish!

I am constantly recommending it to everyone, parkrun is what you want it to be and that flexibility is one of the best things about it. Keep doing what you do and we'll keep turning up to run no matter what one man and his sour grapes has to say about it!

Rebecca Hall



Dear Paul

It has taken a long time for the first adverse comment about parkrun to surface, so I don't think that anyone should be too concerned. I am also a member of two clubs and a parkrunner and volunteer. All of the main organisers at my local run are heavily involved in mainstream club athletics, and many of the other volunteers are club members. There are masses of unattached runners in the results of every event. Many of these will eventually join those who have already become club members as a result of their association with parkrun.

I am sure that the national obsession with 10k races is part of the reason for the overall decline in the standard of British distance running. 10k races have invaded the track season and lessened the opportunities for essential shorter faster racing. parkrun gives the opportunity to go some way to putting this right. Far from boycotting the events, club runners should make more use of them. There is room for everyone. Close races involving half a dozen good club runners at the head of the field would not in any way detract from the enjoyment of the ordinary runner. parkrun is a brilliant addition to the calendar. I am sure that Mr Elders is on his own here.

Roy Taylor



Dear Paul,

Hi, I am one of parkrunner who loves parkrun.

I assume you have already received a lot of response from our parkrunners. So you really don't need to reply for me, just let me say that 'I love parkrun'!
I don't want to bother your time.

Yesterday I knew about the Mr Elder's article and I received my love parkrun newsletter e-mail, so I could know your response.

I am really disappointed about this Elder's article. Since last night, I have been feeling angry, although I couldn't understand complicated matters as I have only short-jogging career.

I believed that if someone who has experienced running, he/she will surely love and support that concept of parkrun! He even doesn't know that a lot of people (parkrunners) grew up by parkrun, like me! 'Feedback from the fields' shows everything.

Unfortunately he is missing the opportunity to enjoy parkrun in his life and taking away the opportunities for those who have never experienced parkrun to enjoy in their lives. He and they don't know how precious and wonderful to run parkrun.

( So I am a lucky person that I can know how nice parkrun is. )

I want to write more but now it is time to go back to my work so will stop here....

Best of luck,
Hiroko



Just a quick note (or vote) to let you know that I think the idea behind parkrun is excellent, and sport has to be about getting everyone involved, and these community schemes etc are fantastic - it is really quite amazing what volunteers can achieve. I haven't taken part or volunteered for a parkrun yet because my local one clashes with when I am already coaching, but I wish this scheme could happen in all sports and everywhere. And I am someone who is starting a company to provide sports training and events on a commercial basis, so I ought to hate you! I hope to send some of my athletes along to these as soon as I can...

Congratulations on what you have done, and there is no publicity like bad publicity, so I am sure lots of other people will hear about parkrun as a result of his article, realise it is actually good, and get involved in running them as a result.

Thanks for everything that you do,

Felicity Bertram



I've never heard such self-defeating drivel in my life. For the secretary of a running club to criticise parkrun for getting out there and organising such fun, no-pressure running events is the height of foolishness. I did my first parkrun a couple of weeks ago in Bushy Park and was so impressed by the way it was organised, the atmosphere and how nice everyone was, it really inspired me to get involved in more events and possibly join a local club so that I can meet more runners and swap stories (and training woes).

It makes me really cross that anyone could see parkrun as in any way detracting from club runs. I hope these comments do not reflect the attitude taken by clubs generally - I'm sure there's room in the running world for everyone.

Sarah Prager



Alan Elder of Low fell needs shooting.

I think he has got the concept of the parkrun completely wrong.

It's a bit of fun for club and fun runners alike. I have done thirty and have enjoyed every one. You don't have to take it seroussly, doesn't cost anything
and meet some decent people on a saturday morning.
parkrun
A big thanks to all the volunteers.

John Brant
Darlington Harriers



Oh Mr Elder......how about those of us that don't belong to a club (and don't want to), enjoy running 5k in a non-competitive environment and have fun? Surely he doesn't want running to be an exclusive endeavour? Talk about completely missing the point, a few lessons in inclusivity could and should be be learnt from British Cycling.

Regards,

Andi Cooper (Cambridge)



Thanks for the regular updates and for all the hard work and organising that the parkrun team does week in and week out.

I have been a member of Stragglers running club for over a year, but have never entered a race as it does not appeal to a 45 year old in my condition!. I started parkrun at the beginning of the year, it gives me the perfect opportunity to gauge my personal improvement on a weekly basis and may in time encourage me to compete in a UKA event. It is close to my home and offers me something the UKA can not at the moment.

However, I was really disappointed to see such a petty attack from Alan Elders, it really puts me off having anything to do with UKA in future. I will continue to support parkrun as regularly as I can make it - I think you're doing a great job, please don't let this small minded attack from Mr Elders put you off, I will be voting with both feet.

sincerely

Jamie Asher



What a cheek Mr Edler has! Although I have only done one run and still recovering from an injury I found it very refreshing just to turn up and run and not bother with numbers, chips and medals. Its simplicity itself. Hands of the parkruns I say!

Regards

Jacky MxcDonald



I think Mr Elder will be highly disappointed in gathering momentum....there are a number of clubs and UKA coaches that go round the parkruns – it has gained respect and love for a huge amount of folk who wouldn't enter a "normal race", the beauty of parkrun is that you have those at the front that want to push each other and race and that won't change and nor should it, then you have those right at the back who are doing their first run or just happy to be out and about with a bunch of others and the rest of us are somewhere in the middle seeing if we can get a pb or just being glad to be out in the open air on a Saturday morning followed by an all important cooked breakfast.

What other event allows you to run round with your buggies and dogs? It promotes fun for all the family and as you have said it gets more people off their sofas and then a lot of them joining clubs as they meet club runners there and realise they are not scary types but down to earth humans that encourage them (other than the likes of Mr Elder of course!)...

There is a place for clubs and a place for parkrun and thankfully not much space for egotistical, jealous, uneducated individuals like Mr Elder

Don't think we have to worry too much about parkruns place in UKA

Sharon Dooley



Hi parkrun,

Just a quick note: as an ex PR professional, the advantage of Alan Elders' ridiculous comments and 'campaign' is that it will increase awareness of parkrun even more to people who maybe (and surprisingly) didn't yet know about it. Mind you I always take what the press writes with a big pinch of salt, reporters tend to change stories to suit them, don't do any background checks, get facts and quotes wrong etc.

parkrun is a fantastic initiative, hard to find something so good, so free! When you think of the cost of racing in Britain (actually sadly, doing anything in Britain...), I've started to organise short triathlon trips to race in France for not much more money it costs to enter a similar event in the UK, and that's including travel and accommodation... So long may parkrun continue :-)

Best wishes

Aurelie Almeida-Heasman



Hi Paul

Just wanted to give you some feedback on your first article about Mr Elder's bout in the press.

I am not entirely sure I understand his issue / grudge against parkrun but instead of trying to i will simply give you the reasons why I (and i'm sure many others) like parkrun...

1/ parkrun is great because it is simply a local and friendly "run", not a race (I believe many people wouldnt come if it was an official race as they might be too scared and wouldnt really want to "race" as such every saturday morning!)
2/ we do not get the pressure/worries/butterflies we can sometimes get from an official organised "race" as this has a high community spirit and is very much low-key
3/ you do see the same faces week after weekand start making new friends
4/ people come again as they want to improve their own time, performance, skills, not really to beat the person in front. It is not about winning here but about enjoying yourself and reaching your own goals...
5/ I do take part in races but parkrun is the only organised 5K run I do in order to include a faster session during my weekly training. As this is every saturday I intend to come more regularly now.
6/ it is free! (which is great as signing up to at least one race a month this year is starting to cost me quite a bit. And to be honest I wouldnt pay to do a 5K race...).
7/ I managed to introduce my now 8 yr old son to running and he sometimes joins me for this run. He wouldnt do it if it was a bigger event i dont think as he would be slightly overwhelmed. I know I could take him running just with me but parkrun is his first introduction to timed running and he enjoys it.
8/ i did try and join an official running club about a year ago Mr Elder but was told to improve my time before considering it, nice! (again, I dont need the pressure, thank you, i'd rather improve my own personal time with parkrun). By the way: Marathon PB: 4:23, Half Marathon PB: 01:46, 10K PB: 44 mins and since last week end, 5K PB: 22:09 which I dont think is that bad for an ex-smoker who only started running in 2006, so there!
9/ finally it is early enough on a Saturday morning so it doesnt take up too much of your (weekend) time and I can be back home for 10 am for the start of my duties as a dad!

In summary, parkrun is great fun, friendly, low-key, doesnt have too many runners, and is only challenging if you want it to be!

Thank you parkrun!

Sebastien Mallet





Dear parkrun team,

Just read your newsletter and then Alan Elders' article and am astonished. In an age when obesity rates are rising the government is spending so much money on promoting health and exercise in general terms, we need an easy way for people to get fit, not stay fat.

In order to achieve this, "easy" has to involve incentives and remove the barriers to fitness as it's far easier to roll over on a Saturday morning than it is to get out of bed and step out into the cold morning air and run 5k. But, parkrun does this really really well, providing an environment where people with little/no running experience can just turn up and have a go. Then, the free entry, timed results and tracking of personal best times to encourage people to return.

Unlike Mr Elders we need to take off our narrow vision spectacles and grasp the bigger picture. We must do whatever we can to help rather than hinder people getting to the 9am countdown, because once they make it there they realise they've taken an important first step away from the couch.

Thanks for the fantastic events you guys provide (esp. Black Park). You've helped a 40+ year old start on the road back to fitness and enter a 10k and half marathon later this year after thinking about this for .. as long as I can remember.

Cheers,

Rick Wilton



Hi Paul

parkrun is the most fabulous idea, encouraging thousands of people to get out there, be healthy, and most of all to use our beautiful parks for what they were intended, recreation.

All the best

Steve Mountain (Ranelagh Harriers)



Hi,

Just a quick note to say I fully agree with all of your comments re Mr Elder, who is obviously entitled to his views as you rightly say.

However, if it was not for parkrun there is no way I would have found a love of running. I found the prospect of club running somewhat daunting. parkrun is fantastic, there is no pressure and I can turn up to any run taking place.

parkrun has encouraged me to take part in races (great south run etc) and raise money for my chosen charity, SCOPE.

Please please keep it going as it is and I, too, am very grateful for all the volunteers who give of their time to stand in the cold!!

Best for now

Julian Woolgar



Last September I started running at Brighton and Hove parkrun, aged 67, I had previously never run for more then a bus., I can now get round in 39 minutes and my blood pressure is down to normal. More importantly I have met friendly encouraging people., I suggest we take a group photograph of the tale enders, we know who we are, chubby, stiff, past the first blush of youth, If he really wants us in his clubs he can invite us but I would rather spend Saturday morning with my parkrun friends.,

All good wishes,

Jan Carroll



Hopefully you will have lots of supportive e mails coming your way and I would like to say my thanks to all who run the parkruns, especially my home one Roundshaw. I started running in July and will never be fast - getting under 30 minutes is my goal but with the support and encouragement of all at Roundshaw I have continued to run during the week as well as looking forward to my 5k challenge on a Saturday morning. A running club would not suit as I play tennis evenings and weekends but the 5k first thing on a Saturday morning before we go off to tennis in the afternoon is great.

So thank you to everyone at parkrun

the very slow Pat



Hi There,

I would personally and on behalf of all members of North Shields Poly like to congratulate you all on a fantastic idea, and the job you do, already quite a few of our club members have ran a parkrun and all think it is great and I can assure you that as team captain I will be encouraging more runners from our club to take part as 5k is a great distance to race to get you fit for all shorter and longer stuff and unfortunately with the short sightedness of local councils , police and of course good old health and safety there are very few 5k road races left on the calander , how anyone can complain about a well organised FREE race/run every saturday is beyond me must be the altitude at Low Fell !!! .
Keep up the good work and a big thank you also to all the volunteers .

Yours in sport

Vaughan Hemy
North Shields Poly A.C




Hi Paul

Stunned.

Nothing new to add to other comments you have had I guess, but was stunned to hear (or read) such comments.

I have been running regularly, for the past couple of months at Wimbledon Common, having been meaning to start going for ages.

Finally got into gear and love it. Whole different prospect to joining a club, or entering a serious race.

After a couple of weeks, my wife and children started parkrunning too, and it is now a weekly family event.

We have bumped into many people we already knew, (some not seen for a number of years despite living locally!), as well as making new friends.

It is great to see so many youngsters out running – there is an increasing number from the school my children go to, which keeps them motivated.

On the point about joining a club, while I can't speak for others of course, the whole family are in the process of joining Hercules Wimbledon AC, and I am looking forward to seeing my name without ‘Unattached' after it on the parkrun results in the very near future.

I see the two things as entirely complementing each other. (Last week it appeared that one local club was using parkrun as a training session with the guy with a stop watch encouraging a variety of athletes.)

Regards

Jeremy Purnell




Dear parkrun

I am, unfortunately not surprised that some jobsworth who is a small fish and wants to be a bigger fish has opened their big mouth and tried to cause a problem.

I agree with you. The only racing is against each individuals personal best and each week, the race is against the clock. I have only run a couple of times and have thoroughly enjoyed it.

It is a very valuable service and has brought a lot of people into running who would otherwise have lounged at home getting obese and unhappy.

I am sure that If you needed, you could get a signed petition from everyone who runs to back you to keep things going as they are.

Please be reassured that I and everyone that I know who does the parkrun give our full support to you and hope that parkrun continues as it has done for many years to come.

James Thomas



Hi,

I have just read the article written by Alan Elders and found it very annoying as most people will. I am the secretary of Cleveland Triathlon Club and we have a link to you on our web site that will certainly be staying here it is.

Our members really appreciate all the hard work done by all your volunteers and it's a great training session.

I am also in a running club and most of my family join in on a Saturday. It's great to see young people from a none sport background, sometimes without even owning a pair of trainers making their way round the course. this is what it is all about and I can't believe a runner would not support this.

Keep up the good work.

Sandra Main Secretary Cleveland Tri.



I found it strange that someone wanting to encourage running would criticise a free running event. I have ran twice and plan to run tomorrow and have nothing but praise for the event. Friendly, well organised and very enjoyable. Keep up the good work

jason lennox (sunderland)



Hi,

I just wanted to thanks you for running parkrun in basingstoke. It takes a lot for me to go to the effort of writing an email like this but I felt I should after reading what Alan Elder said.

1. I would never join a running club as I do most my running on my own to unwind from work. parkrun gives me the chance to test myself against others and push myself to see what I can achieve. I do a 5k course around where I live and have taken more than 2 minutes off my best time since I started parkrun, mainly because I am pushing myself as I want to improve my parkrun time which I do with a few friends.

2. How anyone can object to something that is free and gets people out of bed on a saturday morning to excercise I will never know. It seems that he just wants to have his voice heard regardless of whether he is saying anything that makes sense or not..

Daniel McCormack



Hi Paul

I'm one of the volunteers who has helped Niyc Pidgeon to set up and now run the Newcastle parkrun. After initial incredulity my overwhelming feeling on Alan Elders article is deep embarrassment that such an unenlightened an spiteful viewpoint should have come out of the North East of England.

Personally I've been very encouraged to read all the messages of support for parkrun from your newsletter feedback and especially from those involved with the club running scene. There can be no doubt that parkrun benefits from the attendance of club runners and that the boycott that Alan Elders has suggested would be unwelcome.

However parkrun is about much more than providing a bit of speed work for club runners. I think that the Newcastle parkrun will eventually become a thriving event with or without club runners - but it will be better with them. It will introduce people to running in a mildly competitive, relaxed and friendly atmosphere and become a valuable community asset for the City of Newcastle.

From the feedback received it seems likely that some of the people introduced to running by Newcastle parkrun will eventually join clubs. It is to be hoped that new members would however think long and hard before joining a club that is prescriptive in telling its members not to support certain events.

Best wishes

Ian Kirtley



Hi, have just read the newsletter and wanted to reply straight away to express my total support for parkrun. It is brilliant. Shame on anyone who boycotts it - but it would be their loss anyway.

I'm a Brighton & Hove parkrunner. I'm 52 and only took up running in Jan 2008 to try to get fit after some years of ill health. I worked up to the 5k Race for Life in June 2008 with a personal trainer. I then discovered parkrun through local word of mouth and started in Nov 2008 on B&H's first birthday. I really enjoy it, and very much value the inclusivity and supportive atmosphere. We have some elite runners at Hove Park, for sure, but even though I am always in the last 20 out of over 200 runners (my time is around 34 mins, PB33.17)) that's not the point! I run for fitness, personal satisfaction and enjoyment. I have also made new friends and enjoyed being a volunteer marshall. I've told other people about it as well and they have come along and enjoy it too.

And I am one of your success statistics, in that I have now joined another local running group, Brighton & Hove Running Sisters, and through them, have volunteered to help at a water station in the inaugural Brighton Marathon this April. I also completed 2 mini-triathlons in 2009, something I never thought I would be able to do, and I would not have had the confidence to attempt these without my parkrun experience.

So please be assured that you are a wonderful organisation and have the total support of your runners!

With very best wishes and kind regards

Jane Talbot
Brighton



Hello,

Just read the piece in your newsletter regarding Elders' complaint about parkrun. It does seem rather a pointless complaint, what can be achieved by boycotting something that is free? I can't see how his own club or events would suffer from the existence of parkrun. And he is only addressing club athletes I think, so he isn't going to influence the majority of parkrunners who are unattached to a club. I'm afraid it's symptomatic of where we are now in this country that people feel they have the right to stop or spoil things they don't happen to agree with.

A recent doctors visit showed that I need to improve my health and fitness, which coincided nicely with my wife's decision to enter the Manchester 10k, so I have started to run again - I haven't done any sustained running for nearly 30 years. I find parkrun is made easy to take part in, it's well organised and not at all "cliquey". It's obviously useful for the club athletes too, but from my point of view it's a fun way to help improve my health, and knowing it is there every week, without the need to join anything or get tied in to an official club in order to take part, is great. What possible objection should anyone have to such an easygoing event? After all, I don't actually need parkrun, I could easily just run round the park (and have), but the extra incentive of a specific day and time every week, and the interest the timings and other stats provides, just helps to maintain focus in what I am trying to achieve.

I am sure parkrun will continue to receive growing support, it's a great event that I appreciate exists for people like me who are not serious athletes but just enjoy running for fun or to keep fit, and to help keep the event free and available for all I will be volunteering occasionally once I have completed a few more runs and got myself back into shape.

Regards

Ian Clarke



Hi Folks, as an occasional parkrunner, as well as a runner, racer & running club member with 30 years experience and a co organisor of the local Tees Forest Series I was prompted to respond to the strange comments from Mr Elders.
Firstly may I praise you and the many other volunteers for encouraging and giving more folk the opportunity to take part in competitive (against yourself) running.
I've read the article a few times and I still fail to see were Mr Elders is coming from or why he objects to the parkrun principle. As far as I'm concerned it's a win win situation.

I know many parkrunners are members of local clubs and will continue to be, and I'd guess those who are not come from the vast street runner community, so neither of these are any loss to the clubs.
I'd guess that many of your parkrunners go onto join clubs and I'm sure that local races like ours have benefitted from this too.

If, as treasurer, his argument is one of potential loss of funds or in terms of "we pay so you should too", I feel he's lost the plot or misunderstands the system.

Finally, can I say that I've thoroughly enjoyed taking part - when time permits - and will continue to run and encourage others. Whether club members or not.

Only this week one of my colleagues at work discovered that there's now an event near her home in Newcastle which she intends to take part in to measure her fitness in her Great North Run training. She'll end up getting hooked on the same running bug as the rest of us and encouraging some other novice to run in 30 years time.

Keep up the good work and ignore the knockers.
Cheers Bob

With reference to the parkrun argument and Alan Elders. It is so sad that the this country puts money before fitness and health. parkrun is the best thing since sliced bread. I am a runner and have been since a lad at 5 (1960) and have enjoyed runs all over the world. The parkrun event each Saturday morning in Cardiff is a magic place of friends to meet and contribute to the nations health. Its regular, free, and proactive. Its all abilities, not just elite and its social and friendly and you can be a club affiliate as well. Its me and the distance against the clock , no one else.The argument should be, if you run on a Saturday at a recognised parkrun then an element of the the tax/insurance you pay each month for health related issues (because you are reducing the burden on the NHS) will be distributed to all running clubs to aid the costs of any aspect. Put the issue where it belongs not with the people who instigate and help the nations health and promote life. Sort your arguments and go the extra mile to think outside the box. As stated runners at the parkrun events do join running clubs as they improve and look for the wider challenge.
See you tomorrow to kick my butt and get back in the groove!

I love the parkrun concept and I love that it is free and staffed by volunteers. I am sure many others will join with me in continuing to vote with their feet and endorse the fantastic initiative that the parkrun movement is.

Kind regards,

Heather (Edinburgh parkrunner)



Hi,

Re the ‘gripe' I suspect the popularity and success of parkrun is Alan's issue.

My local parkrun is brilliant; friendly, well organised, accessible, and great fun. The regularity means that you can try different ‘tactic' to see how it impacts your time etc – fast start, slow start, warm up etc etc

I am late to running, coming from a background in Cycling, I remember when Mountain Bike racing first came on the scene, serious if you wanted to win, but fun and accessible for those new to cycling and/or participating for fun. It upset a few in the established cycling community; I think that it was the popularity and ease of access that upset them….

Keep up the good work! Can't wait for Saturday Morning.

Regards

Roger



Hi Paul - as a parkrunner from Brighton I want to add my voice to all the others objecting to the pompous ramblings of one official in the north-east whose views I hope are not representative of his athletics club or of his wider circle. I suspect though that there are others lurking in the long grass who agree with him, and this attitude needs to be exposed for the snobby, out-of-date rubbish it is before it's allowed to discourage any ordinary member of the public from taking those early vital steps to getting properly fit and active - something many people would never do without the existence of a nearby parkrun.

There seems to be within the subtext a resentment towards the participation of volunteers as well as amateur runners. That being so, this chap has clearly missed the point about parkrun's entire ethos. Many regular runners are also regular volunteers: I've run it 49 times now and when not running it my friends and I all pitch in and do our bit as marshalls. It's part of our Saturday morning routine and we love it. Even when it's wet and cold and snowing, the show goes on!

Hope to see you at Hove Park next time you are down our way. Best wishes meantime - Amanda



Hi Paul,
Just to show my appreciation of the eloquent reply given to Alan Elders' attitude. ‘The highest form of strength is complete indifference' might apply particularly to such a misguided attack – bit it's good that the record was put straight.
I'm new to parkrun: I've been looking at the midlands ‘gap' on the website for a while & couldn't believe my luck when Coventry was announced- just a few miles from my house. My initial impression that parkrun is something special in the ‘win-win' department was only confirmed by my experience of the first historic west midlands event! Frustratingly I'm injured at the moment but jumped at the chance of marshalling which perhaps helped me to take in the overall feel of the event. To say I'm hooked would be an understatement.
The chairman of my local club ran the first race, plus a few other members & it now strikes me that if (crazily) Mr Elders' influence prevailed & I was in any way encouraged by my own club, not to run my regular future parkruns, my response would be clear. I'd gladly resign from my club and ask that my recently renewed subscription be given to charity… or maybe sent for Mr Elders' benefit - as he seems to feel hard done to.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers,
Glyn Clarke



My name is Rob I am a UKA fully paid member, attend their training nights and I also attend Leeds parkrun.
I would like to make some additions to Alan Elders comments.
  • Firstly, the parkruns are integrated into my weekly training and has contributed to improving my times at a range of distances.
  • Secondly, the occasion is an excellent opportunity to further network and build relationships.
  • Thirdly, I thoroughly enjoy the occasion.
  • Fourthly, there is a tremendous amount of diligence that it not seen to make parkruns a success.

Keep up the excellent work and I wish success wherever your parkrun may be.



As a die hard veteran club runner of the old type of "harrier" variety i think Alan Elders makes a very valid point, the only problem is he is highlighting what we cub runners get for our levies and fees from UKA ...absolutely nothing, and i think parkrun is a great way to get the less comitted runner involved, it,s great on a personal level for myself to go and do an event where my wife and daughter can join in without feeling intimidated, keep up the good work.

Dave Norman.



Hi Paul,

I've never written in to add my two pennies worth on a subject like this, but having read the email & article I wanted to add my support to parkrun. I don't know what the arrangements for licences between organised events & the UK athletics are, or should be, but I think Mr. Elders' approach to be absolutely ridiculous. To be advocating a boycott of parkruns nationally is surely pursuing his end through the wrong channels, and smacks of desperation & petty mindedness.

I've run a few of the Leeds Hyde park parkruns & I think they're a fantastic event. That volunteers regularly get out of bed on their day off to set up & organise such events, week in week out, never ceases to amaze me and it's something I'm grateful for on each & every parkrun.

How Mr Elders doesn't recognise the benefits of getting people who wouldn't join a running club (for any number of reasons) out & running on a Saturday morning is beyond me, I've mentioned the parkrun in Leeds to a few people who have subsequently run, and also recognise a number of faces from the Valley Striders running club of which I am a member, at parkrun. That along with the 150 or so other runners that turn out at Leeds should be endorsement enough, but if not he should look no further than the association of brands such as Lucozade, Nike, and the London Marathon with parkrun to see just how popular, and positive parkrun is.

You & your teams of volunteers/staff are doing a very special thing, and providing an opportunity to ‘race' (yes I agree it's a race as per Alan's article but really - is that important?) to many people who simply wouldn't engage with the sport otherwise. Please ignore the petty squabbles of a man who clearly has too much time on his hands, and carry on this great project.

I'll be back at the Leeds parkrun soon - I'm trying to do long distances at weekend in preparation for the London marathon, but look forward to chasing down that 5k PB in May.

Kind regards,

Clive Bandy.



Sounds like this bloke is typical of the old guard who don't like any sort of change or anything innovative. Your email sums him up very nicely! Keep up the excellent work.

Jamie Jones.

Overton Harriers.



I can hardly believe what I am reading. How strange to be negative about something like this. A late thank you for my first parkrun and I will soon be back (after half term) to volunteer as well as run again.

With best wishes

Kate Murphy



In response to this week's newsletter, main article.

I am 38, the mother of two young children who, until last year, had only really ran for a bus. I decided to start running to allow me time to myself and get fit. I enjoyed this but then I attended a parkrun in Hove. I came home buzzing. Running with some many others and having a time for my run transformed how I saw myself as a runner and literally, over night, changed my enjoyment of running. Subsequently I joined the Arena 80 running club, then participated in the Brooks 10k and am now training for the Brighton marathon. One year on, running is part of my life, I doubt I would have become so involved in running without free access to a local timed 5 k run. When you look at all those who participate, yes some of us are runners who may be inclined to take running more seriously and join a club, but many more want the opportunity to exercise with the motivation from a friendly crowd. Thank you.

Regards,
Lynne Patterson



Paul,

I can't understand what this guy called Alan Elders is complaining about. Do I have to ask permission from someone to go for a run in the park, and has he said which of their rules we are breaking?

Mike Gascoigne



Dear Paul

Firstly I suggest you tell Mr Elders to go and run a few higher fells rather than encourage him to join our parkruns. From what you say he has written - and I'm not going to waste time reading it - he might be in mortal danger of being felled (pun intended) by another participant if he turns out to one.

More seriously, some of us have reached an age when we are unlikely to get a PB in time terms and it's a bit dispiriting to be told how far we are behind our PB's on our latest run. Might there be a way of showing the age related % as the PB and using that as a yardstick (mind you I was pretty dispirited from that last Saturday - I must evidently try harder).

Regards,

Michael Johnson





Hello Paul

I am a member of Low Fell Running Club and have been involved in distance running throughout my life from age of 12 years (still) as a competitive runner, but also involved in race organisation, marshalling, coaching (all ages and abilities from 8 years old up), volunteer work (even to the point of celeb ‘chaperone' for the occasional event), let alone work (a lot of it without charge) linked to my professional background (physiotherapy).

Although I appreciate a level of frustration on some parts by individuals and thank you for your very balanced and measured response to the issues reported by the Northern Echo, I cannot accept the level of abuse that has been levelled at Alan personally and to LFRC. The accuracy of the report is highly contentious (there are some elements that Alan assures me he didn't state, and he certainly mentioned nothing about any affiliations or claims for representation), and as you will recognise there does seem to be some inconsistencies surrounding licensing arrangements with UK Athletics and Parkrun as opposed to other organisations organising events/races. Again, not sure how much this is within your control but there does seem to be some lack of clarity over Parkrun as an event or a race in terms of results being published. These issues are really quite useful to debate both in terms bringing people into the sport (for which you have done a magnificent job), but also to generate useful dialogue over some form of equity or agreement over differences when it comes to event/race organisation. It seems far from transparent at the moment. There are some of Alan's comments that should be explored for the benefit of the sport.

Again, although I appreciate that you cannot account for any of the actions of Parkrun participants, it has been quite alarming at the level of abuse that has come through our club website. In 40 years of involvement of running I've seen plenty of politics and disagreement but always dealt with in a sociable manner – in this time I've never come across a runner that I didn't get on with or like (usually quite easy going individuals). Even at the Northern Echo site there are some responses (a couple of which I have complained about) that border on people totally out of control, for example a couple of reactions that seem to place a link of some shape or form between perceived social class and running. I have never come across this before – what has this got to do with running around a Park? Unfortunately if this is an example of a ‘new wave' of runners it's going to have me looking for the nearest exit.

However, despite this, keep up the good work with Parkrun. Genuinely wishing continued success even if some participants probably need to ‘chill' a little – it's only running. I have been fortunate (when a lot younger admittedly) to run at international level but have always (like all other runners I have met) considered myself a fun runner. Do it because I enjoy it and would like others to enjoy it. Have no other agenda.

Yours in running, take care

John Stephens



Go back to the top

Feedback from the field (Northern Echo website)


RunningBob, Bramhall 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.



Chris Phelan, Banstead Woods 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



Nicola Stevenson, Wallington, Surrey 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.



lisa shennan, coulsdon 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!



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.



RogerSWilson, Hampton, Middx 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



David Priddy, Windsor 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.



Andy Stalley, Sutton, Surrey 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.



DominicShields, Cardiff 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.



Funnyman, bromley 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 parkrun 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 parkrun - 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 parkrun can fill this gap too. I agree with the other posts - Elder get yourself along to a parkrun 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

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.



toobloo, Glossop 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.
parkrun 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

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.



ukcannuck, Teddington 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 parkruns 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

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.



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.



cliffajw, Stockport 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.



paulfzco, London 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!



Heidi, Cambridge, 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.



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

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

I could also provide comment on the positive influence that parkrun 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 parkrun 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. parkrun therefore creates an excellent opportunity for local running clubs to market themselves (for free) at their local parkrun event. Club runners should be encouraged to attend the parkrun 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 parkrun to promote their own club events to parkrun 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. parkrun runners get to speak with more experienced runners and learn more about running and club membership in a very relaxed and informal environment.

3. parkrun 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

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!



parkrunner, HOVE 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!



princessdave, Basingstoke 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!



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.



Charles Hampden-Smith, Wimbledon 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.



boro_park_runner, Stockton-on-Tees says...
2:54pm Thu 11 Feb 10

Quite frankly I'm amazed by Mr Elders comments, I regularly run the Middlesbrough parkrun 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 parkrun 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 parkrun is both short sighted and irresponsible. Mr Elder please visit our parkrun and see just how wrong you are.



Tom Williams Leeds, 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.



stockportrunner, Stockport 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.



Jo-Bee, Blyth 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?



MuddyIdiot, Durham 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 ;-)



dockie, Shilbottle 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.



mickeyturn, South Norwood 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



kbenjamin, Sutton Surrey 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.



Still surprised, Middlesbrough 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!



kitbag, london 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 parkrun 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

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).



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

Whoops. I forgot about Saltwell Harriers!



rongosling, Marske by Sea 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 parkruns 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 parkruns - 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

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.



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.



Paul Sinton-Hewitt, Twickenham 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



DominicShields, Cardiff 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 ?



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

This narrow minded idiots comments makes my blood boil !
I run the Middlesbrough parkrun 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 parkrun 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

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.



alan LFRC, Tyne and Wear 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



DominicShields, Cardiff 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



kevanwilkinson, London 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?



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.



Danny Norman, Hampton 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.



Hollybean, Middlesbrough 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!



Julie from Bramhall, Stockport 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.



DominicShields, Cardiff 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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