Parkrun event cancelled due to capacity issues

New Earswick parkrun attracts about 200 people each week

A long-standing Parkrun event has been cancelled "indefinitely" due to "ongoing capacity" issues.

New Earswick Parkrun has been taking place at New Earswick Sports & Social Club, in York, since April 2018, attracting an average of 200 participants each Saturday.

However, the club said the weekly 5k run could no longer take place because of clashing activities during the football season.

A spokesperson said there had also been complaints about parking disruption and safeguarding incidents in their changing rooms that led to the decision.

The club said a five-year contract with an established football academy had increased the number of participants, coaches, and spectators present at its venue.

"Unfortunately, the increased activity and the positioning of those involved has meant that Parkrun cannot take place while football is in session, which is typically from late summer through to mid-February, and possibly into early April should teams progress to finals," they said.

"The overlap in use has pushed our venue beyond safe capacity, raising concerns regarding health, safety, and safeguarding.

"In addition to capacity issues, we have received complaints from residents about where Parkrun participants leave their cars, which has caused disruption locally.

"There have also been incidents of runners entering the changing rooms, seeking showers while junior teams are present, which is not appropriate and adds to safeguarding concerns."

The sports club did not charge parkrun to use its facilities

Mark Hudson, who is a regional event ambassador for Parkrun, said about 25,000 people had taken part in the New Earswick event since it began.

"The sports club is a business at the end of the day, it's got to make money, I do understand that," he said.

"As they have become busier, so more clubs and teams have started playing on a Saturday morning, it has started to encroach on the area that we use for our parkrun.

"Over the last few months, it's become so busy that they are finding it difficult to accommodate us."

'Welcoming space'

Since notifying runners of the cancellation Mr Hudson said there had been a "phenomenal" response.

"A lot of people have talked about their own personal journeys and what they've done," he said.

"One lady was saying she turned up, really didn't know what to expect, completely on her own, really nervous and after a few weeks, she came every week and started to say hello to one or two people, faces she recognised.

"By the end, she now has loads of friends at Parkrun, goes into the café for a cuppa with them all afterwards and that is a story that is repeated time and time again by Parkrunners.

"It's a really welcoming, inclusive, positive and safe space."

The sports club said it recognised the importance of Parkrun to the local community and appreciated the positive impact it has had over the years.

"Should circumstances change in future seasons, we will be more than happy to reconsider our position and work together towards a mutually beneficial arrangement," they added.

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