20 Years of parkrun [] Big Changes [] For Better or Worse? [] What's Next?

[@realalt8639]

Love parkrun, but sadly still disappointed by the removal of the performance stats. Thankfully we have our independent parkrun apps we can enjoy. Keep up the great vids!

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes, the 5K app is very useful and enjoyable. 👍

[@MrCol104]

Cheers John & Dawn. ParkRun is what you want it to be. Speed work for some, social for others and a mixture of both for most. Time trial sounded very elitist so switch to parkrun was a very good move as it made it all inclusive. Junior parkrun is another massive thumbs up. Volunteering should be down to choice. Nobody should be preasured into it. Paying for shirts is ok, but they should be at cost. Parkrun merchandise is very expensive, and that's where it's wrong. They shouldn’t make money out of it. The no barcode - time rule makes process smoother so that is good. One thing you haven't mentioned is ParkRun becoming a so called 'charity'. No doubt the bosses will be paying themselves handsomely for their work. I’ve been extremely disillusioned with parkrun, as mentioned previously. They seem to be doing their best to destroy something which was flawless. Haven’t done parkrun officially since February 4th, although I did guide a blind person last week but didn’t take a time. I’m stuck on 96 Parkruns and can’t see me getting to 100. Thanks again. Keep up the awesome work.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes, we did unintentionally miss a few other changes. Some good and some not so... I wouldn't let the changes affect you getting to your 100. We made the decision after stats removal to be less politically correct and continue to do parkrun as we wish. As you say, it's there for all to run or walk as they wish. If we want to use it as a time trial, we choose a parkrun where most others are doing the same. There are many you can do that have a more 'going for it' feel, and it's encouraged. If we want easy we know which ones to go for that. For us, it's choosing the right parkrun that has the right vibe for the kind of run we're intending. 🙂

[@kathrynflannery2889]

That's me, the 30-40 percenter! 😂😂 I don't feel discouraged but often wonder how I would manage to do a Dawn.

[@tworunningbrooms]

And so you shouldn't feel discouraged as we all have different running backgrounds and levels. 🙂 Dawn has run some pretty high mileage over 25 years, which isn't for everyone...😁 #keeponkeepingon 👍

[@jasonsrunning]

Great video as always guys, good retrospective on where parkrun has come in this past 20 years, been a park runner for 12 years now myself - agree on the stats for sure this year, but definitely think parkrun is a force for good overall - junior parkrun definitely a good move and fingers crossed they don’t remove the age grading and times!

[@tworunningbrooms]

Agree with all that! 🙂

[@MichaelTinker-dt1rp]

loved this video i did Peel park yestaday and nearly got a 20 mins run but did beat my PB by 25 seconds because of park run i have been getting fitter and today (Sunday 22nd) returned after 11 years to Stainland 10k trail even though tough loved doing it park run is part of my life now

[@tworunningbrooms]

Well done Michael

[@MichaelTinker-dt1rp]

@@tworunningbrooms just got my number for Bridlington 13.5 mile trail race a week on sunday and now can not wait

[@michaelanthony679]

After 30 yrs of no running, I decided to start in June and after a few weeks of running, I started to search out 5 k races and then came across Parkruns, now I have been doing every Saturday morning and totally enjoy seeing my times get better and getting closer to others that were further ahead of me. I really hope they stop getting rid of all the stats since that is what motivated me to continue to keep going. If it just becomes a fun run with nothing else then it will just be better looking for paid races that show your overall placement of age categories. Please parkrun, don’t let the minority numbers out rule the majority of people wanting this or it can be the whole demise of Parkrun

[@tworunningbrooms]

Well done for getting back into running! Yes, agree if they removed everything then we too would probably consider doing fewer of them. We no longer run them hard every week, but do enjoy the odd time trial and certainly love all the results and miss the stats they've removed. Of course it doesn't take away our enjoyment of the run, but there's nothing wrong with enjoying looking at numbers...🙂

[@andygaines7654]

After passing 250 parkruns treating every one as a personal race the thought of having every race element removed has really distressed me. I’ve never been 1st position(or will ever be) . I run every day for the joy of running but my parkrun when I push my limits is what motivates me. Now in my 60s I sees future with any joy being stripped from my weekly Saturday participation.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes they parade the wellbeing credentials whilst stripping away one thing which makes folk feel good about themselves

[@mjowsey]

@@andygaines7654 you can still access all of your times, therefore I don't understand what you are missing.

[@kirathorpe949]

What they created from the outset is now hard to put back in the bottle so to speak. A competitive 5k!

[@tworunningbrooms]

@kirathorpe949 yes if they could change one thing it would probably be the name parkrun

[@mjowsey]

@@andygaines7654 your PB is still acknowledged, isn't it?

[@sambassett5]

Great video - I agree with all of your points. Interesting to hear what it was like before my first parkrun in 2017

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thanks. 👍 I'm sure we'll all be seeing more, but hopefully neutral or positive...

[@improperrunner]

Really great video both :) I didn't know about a lot of the things you mentioned. Have subscribed too :)

[@tworunningbrooms]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for subscribing. Welcome on board. 👍 🙂

[@Run_Preston]

The majority of the changes have been for the better 👍🏻 volunteers,junior parkrun, barcodes! But the removal of the performance stats was and is ridiculous. No need at all for it 👎🏻 keep up the good work

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thanks. Yes, many positives apart from stats removal!

[@mjowsey]

@@Run_Preston Perhaps the performance tables were removed to stop right wing nutjobs who were questioning the gender of the top female runners?

[@mjowsey]

@@Run_Preston Perhaps the performance tables were removed to stop right wing nutjobs who were questioning the gender of the top female runners?

[@mjowsey]

@@Run_Preston it's fairly obvious that the stats were removed to stop the anti trans bull$hit attacks.

[@daveallemby9330]

Especially since I retired 16 months ago - parkrun has become a major incentive for me both on the running and volunteering sides - Working regular Saturdays meant I didn't get to many parkruns and thankfully that has now changed - I now have arthritis which flares up badly from time and parkrun has certainly helps me through those dark periods . I do agree with most of your points put foward - I love the age grading , - I was hitting 77 % over a decade ago but now only occasionally hit 65% - I think it would be sad if age grading went - it is a great motivation for us old timers -- but I do not think age grading is a big thing to " newer " runners / walkers - Many parkruns are struggling with the number of volunteers needed on a regular basis - perhaps parkrun HQ have set the number of volunteers needed too high for certain roles - plus the fact some more ought to volunteer occasionally instead of taking part - because without volunteers, there would be no parkruns - Perhaps parkrun HQ ought to promote the volunteering side of things a lot more - it would be sad to see parkruns postponed or even finished because of a lack of volunteers

[@tworunningbrooms]

Without participants, there would be no parkrun...😅 I'm glad you've found enjoyment with volunteering. I don't think all parkruns struggle with volunteers. I know of one who say we have enough. Good to volunteer if it's what you want to do and have the time as many volunteering roles take a lot longer than they used to. We hope age grading stays, too. 🙏

[@clare9695]

Absolutely agree with your message Dave. Age grading is a big incentive for me too - your 65% is still very impressive by the way, I'd be happy achieving that. Also agree with your thoughts on volunteering. Most of my local parkruns have problems filling the rotas, it frustrates me to see people with 100s of runs in their profile and no volunteering credits. So I think agree parkrun HQ could be more proactive at promoting the value of volunteering and or regular runners doing their bit from time to time.

[@simonbamford4045]

I learnt a few things there geeks! Love the geek info about parkrun. I have to say I enjoy the competitive element of it and the stats 😜 More recently I prefer quieter parkruns, some are so busy now (Hillsborough) it's a bit annoying lapping so many people. I'm all for inclusivity. Ps. I got new PBs for Sheffield Castle and Barnsley in the last two weeks. Tough courses and Barnsley is the toughest I've ever done.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes, we see your point on busy courses. Hillsborough is very busy! We went a couple of years ago, having not done it for a while, and turned up unfortunately on their 444 event as we'd not looked and guess what it was heaving. 😅 For us we don't mind busy if the courses have wide paths... Well done on your parkrun pbs! #keeponkeepingon

[@thestreakpodcast]

This was excellent!

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thanks 👍 😊

[@geoffclarke3796]

Interesting video. I've been doing parkruns since 2012 though just do the odd one now rather than every week in the early days. I don't have any strong views on the changes made over the years though, like many participants, I think the removal of the performance stats was a backward move and I'm a little concerned about how the parkrun might evolve in the coming years.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes, we don't allow changes to affect us, but we are disappointed by the removal of stats. Hopefully, what we feel may happen, won't. We always have positive experiences at parkrun events in all honesty, so as things currently stand, we'll continue to take part. 🙂

[@TRUc972]

I’d forgotten about a lot of the things you spoke about, well remembered. My fear is that parkrun will continue down the ‘but someone ‘may’ be offended’ route and spoil parkrun events even further by the steps you mentioned, but also going further than that as well. I wish they would just stick to what they had and stop thinking they are going to change the world.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Spot on. It's a case of suits on boardrooms trying to look dynamic and transformational. Wish they'd channeled that energy into selling paperclips or photocopying paper instead.

[@monkeymox2544]

Well no, it's not about 'offence', it's about using Parkrun as a tool to improve people's mental health. No reasonable person can see that as anything other than a good thing. The benefits of running on mental wellbeing have been very firmly established, and it is no more or less correct for Parkrun to focus on that side of things than on the competition side of things. There are plenty of organised races all around the country every day, but how many big events place most of their focus on wellbeing? Not many. There is no good reason that Parkrun shouldn't fulfil that function. Having said that, I see no reason why Parkrun can't be a bit of both. I don't think the aim of being inclusive is incompatible with giving people the tools to compare stats etc. People are going to make those comparisons anyway regardless of what Parkrun do, and technology makes it very easy to do so.

[@TRUc972]

@@monkeymox2544 sadly certain entity’s throw the terms ‘inclusion’ and ‘mental health’ around to make what ever changes they want. Almost as if it’s a trump card that can’t be challenged. Just like the reason for getting rid of the stats. No evidence was ever provided to back up their claims. Your view of ‘inclusion’ may well be well founded, however Parkrun’s version of ‘inclusion’ could be completely different.

[@monkeymox2544]

@@TRUc972 you make it sound like some sort of conspiracy. The much more simple and rational explanation is that Parkrun talk about mental health and inclusion... because they care about mental health and inclusion. I'm not lumping you in here, to be clear, since I know nothing about you, but there is a subset of people who for reasons I will never understand want to reframe genuine (if sometimes bungled) attempts to make positive change as some kind of sinister plot. I can see no negative side to promoting inclusion, mental health and wellbeing as aims in the running community.

[@mjowsey]

@@TRUc972 parkrun is free but you sound like you believe parkrun owes you something. There are plenty of events that reward winning and it sounds like you would be better sticking to them in the future.

[@Yagdrol]

We have been running Parkruns since 2010. In fact our running club was the backbone of starting 6 Parkruns in the area. After they deleted all our history of men, women and age stats without even asking us it kind of killed the atmosphere for most of us. Its an insult that we all have to go without just because Parkrun Ltd refuse to acknowledge sex in sport. Nowadays the club runners are just turning up to the odd run now instead of every week. The fake excuse they gave was also shameful.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes, such a shame they couldn't be upfront and find solutions, not remove something many enjoyed.

[@mjowsey]

It's wrong to say that the history is deleted, all of the results are still there. And expecting parkrun to solve or get involved in the trans-women in sport issue is not reasonable.

[@paulcook7426]

@@mjowsey Glad you said it. I'm like what stats have gone, all mine are still there?!

[@mjowsey]

@@paulcook7426 What has gone are the tables of comparison for the age groups and the fastest times on the front page. I don't miss them at all. I'm only competing against myself

[@ManWalksDogs]

@@mjowsey it is reasonable when its an international and supposedly inclusive organisation as large and long running as parkrun; i dont expect perfection but nor do i appreciate the taking-our-ball-home-so-nobody-can-play approach theyve taken. the issue wont go away so they need to address it properly and have some sort of clear policy that works for all. theyre literally paid to run this at the top level, so it's their job to sort it out.

[@PoetWithPace]

Like anything that has sustained a long period of time, it has to change. Some will like it, some won’t. Circle of life.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes, changes happen, and some will be positive and others less so... How people feel about them will depend on how much they feel affected by them. Such as the Canni-X runners who set up a parkrun and then after a few years are told no harnesses when that's how they run with their dogs and they put the work in to get the parkrun going. Just one example...But yes circle of life continues...🙂

[@MrCol104]

@@PoetWithPace Why does it have to change? It seemed to working pretty well. Another example of money and greed ruining something special.

[@dbracer]

I think that the change from "Winner" to "First Finisher" is more about providing additional encouragement to people who need every bit of emotional support to just show up, especially if they're not parkrun veterans or high performers. Anything that might help to encourage participation amongst those who are discouraged by the disparity between their performance and those of the best is a plus. The performance stats removal is a similar concept, but is I think on the cusp of actions that might de-motivate rather than encourage. I think that further "de-statting" might be going too far, which I think is your fear.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes to first point. And yes can live with current stats situation just. Bit further erosion... This reminds me of a political party. If they move one way to bring more people into an electoral coalition then they risk losing folk at the other end.

[@garybates2992]

great video, really informative with stuff I didn't know, I may have missed it but no mention about the change about running with dogs, would have loved to see what their thoughts on that one was, btw it makes no difference to me as I only run with mine on the fells

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes, we missed a few changes out, unintentionally, or we'd have had a very long video...😅 For us, the dog change was a neutral one as we don't have a dog, so I guess it's not something that affected us. I think it's fair to say that with any of the changes that have come about, if you feel it's affected your participation, you're more likely to be upset by it. We did attend one parkrun that we were told was set up by Cani-X runners as it was in a forest. They were understandably upset by the dog rule change. Maybe there should've have been a more nuanced approach, but probably too hard to do!

[@ManWalksDogs]

@@tworunningbrooms with the nuance angle, there was already individual parkrun discretion at whether dogs were allowed to run certain park runs eg. not ones on high school pitches due to fouling, so with ones where there had been dog-based tripping incidents at hotspots on the course, maybe those couldve considered dog bans or other measures rather than parkrun HQ doing carpet bans

[@rich0006]

Great video thanks! I for one will be disappointed if Parkrun stops the results being listed in finishing order and also stopping publishing any age grade percentages

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes, we would be disappointed by those changes! Although we wouldn't be surprised...

[@hjeconomicstutor]

I love the stats. Those that dont can just scroll past

[@tworunningbrooms]

Agreed 👍

[@herbyhanksta8269]

Great video 👍🏻

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thanks 👍

[@EwenThompson]

Sadly, parkrun is a shadow of its former self. We miss the detailed statistics on the web pages, age-group all time rankings, top 500, sub 17 women, sub 20 men, age-group records. And I'm a very average runner/walker.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Agree they are missed stats!

[@arnoldd7073]

It's pathetic it's been removed.

[@mjowsey]

@@EwenThompsonThanks for your concern. parkrun is striding ahead and going from strength to strength.

[@LT8shortshorts]

Great video to which I broadly agree. But the volunteer growth is more nuanced. The increase in volunteers is positive, but the increase in volunteer positions and the culture it has created is not. In the past volunteers were generally people who preferred to run but understood they needed to volunteer 1 in 10 (1 in 4 in Germany) to keep the event sustainable. Now we have a culture of people chasing credits to get to the next milestone - run & volunteer, with no shortage of volunteers for positions that don’t actually help us put on the event. We often have several “double credit” park walkers/token sorters /extra scanners but cannot get volunteers for essential timers, marshals and token givers. We have even had report writers who actually attended a different parkrun event. All to get the volunteer credit without sacrificing a run credit! Parkrun is free of cost but we should all contribute our time and sacrifice the occasional run.

[@mars19745]

Don't get me startered on people who respond to Friday requests for "3 marshals and a timekeeper" by posting "I can pace 25 minutes"....and then turn up and run 22:30.

[@tworunningbrooms]

We do know someone who was turned away from a volunteer offer as they said they had enough, so they didn't need her. Really, they should've paired her up with someone and accepted the generous offer. This young person was not a runner but wanted to be involved. Sadly, didn't return... At a parkrun, we know well it's hard to volunteer as the same people fill the same spots each week... Back in the day, there was no such thing as volunteer credits. You just chipped in. Turn up early do course set up. If you were fast enough, you'd run then time, finish within the field, hang around, and do the mop up and token sort. Personally, we don't have strong views on community volunteers as it does seem to bring a difference to many people. What we don't like to see is social media posts that harangue others publicly for not volunteering. There are a multitude of reasons for many people....Anyhow many thanks for your views. 👍

[@LT8shortshorts]

@@tworunningbrooms people volunteering is great. Non-runners volunteering is brilliant. My issue is with the culture of credit/milestone T-shirt chasing. To me this is major change that happened the last couple of years. As you say - in the past there were no credits. And then no double credits (other than tail walker). Now , anyone can simultaneously run & volunteer at the same event. This makes it easy to get volunteers for positions that also allow a person to run, it’s very difficult to get volunteers for the crucial positions which do not allow the volunteer to run. Timekeeper marshal etc. To me, this credit chasing culture undermines the whole community ethos of parkrun. All communities require contribution from all members to survive. Our contributions are not financial but with time.

[@ManWalksDogs]

​@@tworunningbrooms i'd disagree there on the "haranguing" as i think that its sadly necessary to shame/guilt trip some into stepping forward and not being so selfish; of course there are ways to do it and language/methods to avoid and this would differ in need from parkrun to parkrun and with how its approached by that parkrun's core team's communications wing on their facebook page. obviously its only a major issue with the much bigger parkruns that regularly get triple figures attendances yet still need to beg for last minute additions on a friday afternoon to make sure the run goes ahead. adding the volunteer number in brackets after the run number of those highlighted in posts (without further comment or explanation) i felt was a good way my local now uses of getting the message across subtly. it's one of the things i look for; i rerank the day's results by number of parkruns ran in descending order, so that all those with 250 milestones and the occasional 500 sit up the top and then you can see how many also have 25, 50 or even 100 or 250 volunteer milestones alongside it and well done to all of those. it then also highlights those that have yet to get those milestones and you do question the mentality of someone that could take a free thing on offer for ten years (for those that have hit 500) and never think to give back at least to the initial volunteer milestone. i got my 50th (before the 25 running milestone existed) then my 25th volunteer, then my 100th and now i'm aiming to hit my 50th volunteer at the same time as i get my 250th (got a long way to get both as yet)...

[@ManWalksDogs]

test

[@toshiroyamada2443]

I always treat Parkrun as a time trail. Try to improve my time each time I take part.

[@toshiroyamada2443]

If they get rid of the results tables I will likely stop submitting times for it. What's the point of getting a "official time" if there's nothing to compare it too.

[@tworunningbrooms]

In the original spirit of parkrun before six-figure salary suits started to tinker with it.

[@toshiroyamada2443]

@tworunningbrooms I have only done two Parkruns so far (been signed up for 2 months now). I thought they were a more causal race type setting, which is why I originally signed up for it. Like you go, run as well as you can and just see how you stack up to everyone.

[@DarthTrader66]

Don’t forget barcodes can now be saved on Apple Watch or Garmin so there’s no need to mess around carrying the plastic ones.

[@tworunningbrooms]

That's a positive change! 👍

[@ManWalksDogs]

yeah for years they were kicking against people trying to offer their barcode via their phones, so i'm glad the tech barrier has been upgraded to include these; i still like to use my little plastic one, despite being active on garmin - btw do you mean the fancy end of the G watches have this option, as my bottom of the range one doesnt - or is this an in-app feature ive not spotted...?

[@newleafdecor]

yep remember the sweatshop monthly runner of the month award

[@tworunningbrooms]

Something that was never going to be sustainable with parkrun growth.

[@richparnold]

I've done over 300 parkruns and personally never looked at these stats when they existed, so have no issues with that and not sure what % have looked. Think often we just hear from the vocal minority.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Most folk we know on the running world enjoy looking at the stats. Long may parkrun have something for everyone to enjoy, including stats.

[@outerheaven8797]

The changes related to data privacy, making the results, and therefore people's personal info not so public sound positive. Having it be like social media, where u add people, hopefully would reduce the chance of any weird messages from strangers on Facebook, stuff like that.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes I can see that angle.

[@alanwetherelt7155]

That garden needs a bit of work , na go for a run

[@tworunningbrooms]

We gave our gardener a week's leave 😉 seriously I'd rather be remembered as a feller who loved his running rather than the man with a trim lawn edge.

[@johnh9749]

Mark Lewis has a KZbin video suggesting why parkrun removed the stats. Different take and makes sense. Essentially parkrun has opted out of the Trans debate. There were a number of Parkruns where the female record was held by a trans man. Rather than go down the route of hiding behind the IOC rules on male/female competition they ducked the issue. The risk was that some elderly parkrun volunteer would get bullied by someone insisting that they were female. Hopefully at some point in the future there will be a settled view on what trans people can and can't do and we get our stats back.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes I think a bit of both. One suited the other agenda.

[@thesouthendrunner]

Ive been doing Parkruns for 5 years or so. I wish I'd discovered them earlier. I've always wished they did a 10k version. I find 5k a bit short.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes that would be nice.

[@mjowsey]

@@thesouthendrunner I've done 10k at parkrun a couple of times by getting there early enough to do a 5k "warm up" before the start.

[@kirathorpe949]

5k the sweet spot

[@kirathorpe949]

Using First finisher v winner = so very very important to someone u r supporting who is inactive. All to address the psychology of behavioural change

[@punkfortytwo]

Been doing it for 11 years and personally I don’t like how it’s going further and further away from what it was a time trail. Always done and treated parkrun as such and my view is if you have results/times/finishing position then call it whatever you want but it’s a race and I agree that in a few years all the race aspects will remove but I think you will see a rival company start doing 5K races and you see podium 5K, and other events series becoming more popular and more and more runners will stop doing parkrun if such aspects are removed. My view is why get up on and travel to a parkrun if you get zero benefit from it. I only do them now as fitness tests to see where my training is at. I’ve never been a fan of the happy clappy side of it

[@tworunningbrooms]

We travel quite a bit and enjoy doing them for the places we see. Occasionally do them as a fitness tester/time trial, but we know which courses to do that on and have it applauded and encouraged. The removal of the listed order of results would definitely cause further unhappiness in the parkrun world as many folk love seeing this, but it probably will come one day.

[@MrCol104]

@@punkfortytwo Well, I think there’s room at parkrun for all, no matter what their age or ability. Some of the people at the back are truly inspiring and I mean sincerely. I hated the way parkrun were demonising people who wanted to push themselves, and that is far more damaging that any stats removal.

[@bigalenergyover60]

I'm the opposite as I love the lack of competition - although can be used for that if you get to the front- as I was put off with the Knarley watch wearing runners obsessed with their times and prefer the dog walkers, kids who turn up with their mates and a group of people who are up Saturday morning and moving and not feeling as if their not part of it.

[@punkfortytwo]

@@bigalenergyover60 each to their own

[@punkfortytwo]

@@MrCol104 I agree room for all but I also hate how those who use it like me are as you say demonized

[@darwinsfish]

I need the incentive of all the data to encourage me to run. Without this I think I would lose interest. I never regard it as a race myself but always enjoy seeing the course records being broken and age category results. If some want to be competitive that’s fine, I think I’ll cope.

[@tworunningbrooms]

We've always believed parkrun has something for everyone and long may that last.

[@NeilHolloway]

No mention for the massive success of the parkrun magazine? The official podcast which was a disaster? 😂

[@tworunningbrooms]

Hmm, think we only ever saw 2 magazines and didn't feel we'd missed much...😀

[@ManWalksDogs]

i remember playing a few of the international quizzes the podcast people did during lockdown - i suppose because it was youtube livestream based which is where i'm more active (i dont really play many podcasts, just one for a programme i like), but i hadnt considered that i'd not heard about the podcast in years - probably beacuse i turned off the subs for the weekly email newsletter thing. i did get hold of copies of two or three of the mag, but youve just reminded me i saw someone with one recently just before i ran thinking i'd grab one after to take home for toilet reading but then forgot, so i guess its still going...

[@NeilHolloway]

@@ManWalksDogs the unoffical podcast is, was and always has been far far better - search for 'With Me Now' (magazine is stopping)

[@kirathorpe949]

Parkrun future: public health intervention

[@tworunningbrooms]

Could well be...

[@mjowsey]

@@kirathorpe949 it's made a huge difference to my health. I hope that when the fuss about the stats is forgotten it will be transforming lives for many years to come.

[@alfdickinson1971]

Nice hat! Only been doing parkrun a couple of years so just amazed how good it is atm not fussed about the stats and age % thing really. The points thingy sounds very interesting. But would have loved to do the xmas day double parkruns Ive heard about-which have now stopped . Great video-v interesting.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thank you. 🙂 Yes, we did the double Christmas and New Year doubles from when they started and until they stopped. We can understand why they stopped, but definitely a fun element taken away.

[@alfdickinson1971]

@@tworunningbrooms why did they stop the doubles? Out of curiousity

[@ManWalksDogs]

i didnt realise doubles were no longer a possibility, admittedly its been years since i last heard of one in my area, i just thought our local core teams had settled into a routine that my local does the new year's day run and the other big one nearby does the xmas run (with each other not doing the opposite). i always walk-jog-walk to my local so getting over to the other parkrun that day was never a possibility (i go alone, so there was no mate's car to jump into or anything for a lift). was it a local traffic/parking issue with councils/local residents kicking off or something?

[@ManWalksDogs]

test

[@tworunningbrooms]

@alfdickinson1971 people rushing from A to B in often not very nice weather. Extra pressure on event teams so I believe.

[@64offsuiter]

What has happened to parkrun? In summary a) more people are doing it that ever before. That's a good thing. B) the volunteers continue to be the backbone it always was regardless of 'head office' shenanigans. C) about 2 and bit years ago it got a new CEO. When this happens in almost all businesses, they like to do 'change' to stamp their authority on things. Problem with this is parkrun is a very unique entity in that is more like a cooperative - it is by the PEOPLE for the PEOPLE. totally volunteer driven. Bigger changes should go out to all members as a vote. It's that simple.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes it's all very top down these days. It used to appear much more grass roots based.

[@markg99]

I didn't know about half of that stuff. Nice insights. I can't have any strong feelings about changes, as I've still only done 1 😅

[@tworunningbrooms]

We bet there are plenty of changes yet to happen...Watch next time you go Poolesbrook, they'll have reversed the course. 😅

[@mijzzzz]

👎thumbs down for banning hands free dog belts, hand held leads makes you run lopsided and takes up 2 lanes.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes that upset a lot of people. Especially at Mallards Pike where the CaniX people had set it up in the first place.

[@ManWalksDogs]

didnt realise those were banned but must admit i hadnt spotted anyone using them for ages and that probably equates to why i dont see so many barkrunners or those old regulars; surely they were only ever used by experienced caniX types that have them in the first place and therefore have dogs that are used to running whilst attached to them?

[@mijzzzz]

​@@ManWalksDogsI think there were a few incidents of people going out hell-for-leather at any cost that caused a few accidents, but that spoiled it for the rest. I do believe some canix people arrange their own Barkrun and meet to do the course an hour before regular parkrun. Imo running with the belt leaves your hands free to grab the grab handle if needed and there was always the short bungie line rule which not everyone obeyed.

[@josephgonzalez_]

Inclusivity is great and to be applauded, but I think parkrun chooses to define that term in a specific way: they don’t think it should include runners who want to use parkrun as a fitness test and see how well they do against other like minded runners. The removal of certain stats is an indication of this. I don’t think other runners really mind or are put off by these stats or the fact there are faster runners - parkrun has well and truly moved beyond being known as a time trial event.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes we both work in Inclusion in an educational context, and the term certainly doesn't mean taking something away from one group of people because another group finds it harder to access. Parkrun had a great balance right through from Olympian course record chasers, through competitive club runners to people who wanted to complete 5k and be around positive people. I think some people at HQ have a fluffy view of what Inclusion is, or are quite obviously positioning themselves to be in line to access future funding.

[@James.chalmers]

If their age grade is at 30% maybe run a bit faster then 😂 snowflakes, great video though very informative

[@tworunningbrooms]

Everyone has to start somewhere. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the video. 👍🙂

[@James.chalmers]

@@tworunningbrooms true but shouldn’t mean they should remove the age grade or times to suit them, I was 31:15 my first parkrun now I have broken 18 minutes, that was me unfit and untrained i had never ran before and had to stop and walk multiple times, I decided after that shocking performance I needed to make a change in my life, maybe they can do the same if they put the time and effort in. I have been running for almost 10 years now. If it wasn’t for the parkrun I would never have started.

[@ManWalksDogs]

other people's experiences & ability to improve (eg old age concerns or a condition that means theyre already giving 100% and it's physically impossible to run a bit faster) may vary... just because it worked for you, doesnt mean thats the case for everyone else that struggles to begin with. there's no one-size-fits-all approach to individual health goals.

[@James.chalmers]

@@ManWalksDogs we all are weak at certain things but I was saying his point at the end about getting rid of times because someone might have mental health issues due to their slow time, it’s silly of them to change to suit others… if they find it that bad they should leave the running to the ones who enjoy it and who helps their mental health not hurts it…

[@Victoryshout_nz]

I think they had to remove the stats in response to self-identifying transwomen starting to top the women's categories and holding records?

[@tworunningbrooms]

There's better ways of keeping parkrun inclusive without removing something that so many enjoyed. 🙂

[@thegearboxman]

No stats, no run. Simple. It's destroyed parkrun for anyone who is competitive, and that includes a lot of youth athletes, many of whom took the course records, fastest 500 and age grading very seriously. All in the name of wokeness, regardless of what parkrun say to the contrary.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yep many feel that way. Done with no transparency

[@twentyfourhourdays]

Woke rubbish should not be supported. Better to organise local groups for good old Saturday morning competitive runs. Remember that even the slowest runners can be competitive within their category.

[@alexanderwheeler4827]

I care very little for statistics and stats, as long as I seen my time. For me it's a race against my self. It would be a shame to see where I finish go, but its not the end of the world. I finished 8th recently which blew my mind. There always a bigger fish, running is not my hobby, its a way of keeping fit for me. Maybe they should ask the runners what they want!

[@tworunningbrooms]

Asking runners what they want would probably involve reinstating all the stats. 😁 Well done on your recent 8th place. 👍

[@twentyfourhourdays]

Park Run now seems to be woke so that running round in circles is just a joke. If we cannot compete even with ourselves, it's sad. Wokism gone mad.

[@tworunningbrooms]

We continue to let it be what we want. Go out and enjoy being competitive if that's what you want. 🙂

[@JB-np4lp]

Should ban dogs tbf, always a massive trip hazard.

[@tworunningbrooms]

I've hurdled a couple in my time. 🙂

[@fuzzy1237]

It’s killing itself Pc nonsense will destroy it I’ve stopped going

[@tworunningbrooms]

Many have

[@AlbertWeijers]

@@tworunningbrooms Nonsense, it's still growing in the Netherlands and everywhere I think. This "big" change is really not that important. If you want to know the fastest time that's still possible.

[@paulfletcher6629]

I run to compete against others my age. Every runs to compete. If the stats and times of others are removed I will stop running park runs.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Long may parkrun have something for all to enjoy. 🙂

[@scottmac1977]

Parkrun is every bit as good as it's ever been. The management are trying to juggle a number of responsibilities and are going to get it in the neck from people who either don't understand the issues or have their own agenda. I fully support the changes they have made, they had to.

[@tworunningbrooms]

I disagree. I've not seen any convincing argument for the stat changes. If it is a case of shifting from a grassroots sporting event to a wellbeing initiative then fine, but be upfront about it. The reasons stated so far are flimsy and based on hearsay not evidence.

[@scottmac1977]

@@tworunningbrooms With all due respect, you are not running a large international charity/organisation. You simply don't have any idea what's going on behind the scenes and you need to wind your neck in a bit. It's a storm in a tea cup, a massive waste of time and energy.

[@tworunningbrooms]

@scottmac1977 if I were running a large organisation I'd like to think I'd be able to communicate with my stakeholders better than the current lot.

[@stpOwner]

Parkrun has gone woke

[@tworunningbrooms]

Indeed

[@AlbertWeijers]

Yes and woke is a good thing. It's about thinking things through and making good changes. The founder of parkrun was very woke when he decided to create parkrun and expanding it to more venues. Probably a lot of doubters then. Maybe trust the founder who created this worldwide movement? Or else create your own and try to keep all the millions who follow you happy.

[@mjowsey]

@@AlbertWeijers well said

[@stpOwner]

@AlbertWeijers It started as Bushy park time trial. Time trial being the operative words, losing the performance metrics was a big step away from the core purpose and the original intent - not all changes are positive.

[@mjowsey]

@@stpOwner Getting your PB acknowledged hasn't changed in that way parkrun retains the most important part of a time trial.

[@infocuslearning]

I’m all in favour of not publishing results lists and just getting your own time. If you don’t like it, you can always just do a race. Parkrun is not a race.

[@tworunningbrooms]

In that case I'd be curious to know 1. Why you think parkrun has seen fit to publish results in that format since 2004. 2. How parkrun has been made a better experience all round since their removal. 3. How inclusivity equates to removing something many people valued.

[@infocuslearning]

@@tworunningbrooms My general response to all of your questions is "Why are you asking me? Ask parkrun". Specifically, and in my opinion, 1) they should never have published results as it was inconsistent with it not being a race - which is a key differentiator from most other running events. 2) It is undoubtedly better for some people (who value the "not a race" experience) and worse for some. That's life. 3) A ban on women in Working Men's Clubs used to be valued by lots of working men, who didn't want to have women in their club. Making them inclusive removes something they valued. Same is true (as recently) with posher London clubs like the Garrick. PS I am sure that you are aware that parkrun results and ranking lists, including age graded lists are still available elsewhere on the Internet for those that care.

[@MartiEverton]

Or if you don't like it, you can not look at the results and let the vast majority who do like it, enjoy it regardless how they/you perceive the event.

[@infocuslearning]

@@MartiEverton “The vast majority” - what is your source for that assertion? I sincerely doubt whether most parkrunners are the slightest bit interested where they came compared with other people. Club runners perhaps, but they are very much in the minority in most park runs.

[@MartiEverton]

@@infocuslearning the vast majority of people that comment on this subject in MANY different running groups and YT channels. If the 'most' you say are not interested then it hardly matters to them does it however YOU are in favour of the results not being posted, your opinion is the minority.