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Stoke Gifford runners to be charged
Runners in Stoke Gifford will be the first in the world to be charged for using a public park to participate in Parkrun events.
Tom Williams, head of Parkrun, which organises two free runs every Saturday, said he was “extremely disappointed” that Soke Gifford Parish Council had voted to impose the charge of £1 per runner.
The council, which falls under South Gloucestershire’s local authority, said it was “unfair” to expect non-running residents to pay for path upkeep. It voted six to four in favour of charges.
It added in a statement that regular park users shouldn’t foot the bill for an organisation which has “paid directors, fundraisers and sponsors”.
Parkrun organises 850 events across the world with over two million runners participating.
The organisation argued that people should not be charged for important exercise. Its co-coordinator in Stoke Gifford also said the organisation will now be pulling out of little Stoke Park.
Williams, Parkrun’s CEO, added in a statement: “Our aim is to break down barriers to participation in, and delivery of, physical activity and this is consistent across 850 parkruns worldwide, which are all delivered by volunteers and are free to take part in.
“Imposing a charge at one event is something that contradicts our founding principles and would set a precedent that threatens our future.
“As a nation we must make a decision about whether we want to be healthier or not. The costs to all of us of inactivity and poor health are immense.
“ParkRun has had enormous success at bringing communities together and promoting physical activity in safe and welcoming social environments.
“The past six months have been an uncertain and difficult time for everyone involved with Little Stoke parkrun and our entire global community of more than two million parkrunners is behind them as we discuss our next steps.”
More than 18,000 people had signed a petition by Wednesday morning calling on the council not to charge runners.
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