Hope for return of parkrun events in Richmond

There is hope that the much-missed parkrun events, which originated in Richmond borough, will return to the area's parks next month.

The events, which attract thousands of people to Richmond Park, Old Deer Park, Crane Park and Bushy Park, for a 5k run every Saturday morning were cancelled in March for the coronavirus lockdown.

National organisers of parkrun now say the government and public health authorities have agreed they can resume events with certain safeguards.

Despite this positive news, a final decision on when the runs in Richmond borough can restart will be left to the Royal Parks, which control Richmond Park and Bushy Park, and Richmond Council, which sets the rules for Old Deer Park and Crane Park.

Richmond parkrun posted on Facebook: "Hi Richmond parkrun volunteers, walkers, joggers and runners. Exciting news...

"I'm working with the RD (race director) team to ready us, keep your eyes peeled for the volunteer email (don't forget to opt in on your profile please)."

A spokesman for Richmond Council said: "The council is currently reviewing applications from local organisations for potential events in the borough. Each application is considered in light of the current pandemic, levels of Covid-19 and relevant safety measures.

"Therefore, events can only proceed if they are safe to do so and do not pose a risk to public health."

parkrun on its plans to return

Parkrun has become a global phenomenon since it was founded by Paul Sinton-Hewitt at Bushy Park in October 2004 with more than 200,000 regular participants around the world.

Global chief executive officer for parkrun, Nick Pearson, said: "Following detailed conversations with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Sport England, and Public Health England, I am delighted to announce that we intend to reopen parkrun and junior parkrun events in England toward the end of October this year.

"Unfortunately, as things stand, and due to current restrictions across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, we are not able to commit to the same timeline across the other Home Nations."

He added: "Over the years, we've come to understand the significant health benefits of being physically active, together, in the great outdoors. It boosts our self-esteem and mood, increases sleep quality and energy, builds immunity, reduces the risk of developing many diseases, and promotes quality of life.

"Whilst the public health benefits of parkrun events have been clear for many years, the last six months have increased inequalities around health and wellbeing, with many people more isolated and less active than ever in their life.

"Across many communities our events provide the most accessible and inclusive opportunities for people, of all abilities and backgrounds, to come together and be active. Disadvantaged communities have been hit the hardest [during lockdown] and likely have the most challenging journeys ahead of them, and with every passing week, and with winter approaching, those challenges become greater."

Risk of transmitting coronavirus 'small'

The organisers commissioned Canterbury Christ Church University to carry out a rapid review of the evidence about the risks of running outdoor events.

Led by Professor Mike Weed, the review concluded that with appropriate safeguards, "it is possible to deliver outdoor events and activities across a range of sectors, and of varying sizes and formats, in a way that does not significantly increase risk of Covid-19 transmission".

Participants should also be asked to seed themselves appropriately, with faster runners towards the front, and slower runners/walkers towards the back.

In some cases, courses will be extended and the start moved in order to limit any risk of crowding.

Mr Pearson said: "Based on the above evidence, and the mitigations presented in our Covid-19 Framework, we therefore feel that the risk of parkrun events significantly contributing to the spread of Covid-19 in the United Kingdom is small.

"Everything in life comes with a risk, and we know and accept that we cannot remove all risks from the parkrun environment," he added.

"However, it is also important to balance the public health benefits of reopening our events, against the associated public health risks.

"We now believe, having spent considerable time gathering and understanding the evidence, that the benefits to reopening parkrun far outweigh the risks.

"This is a watershed moment. Parkrun will return. We will be back together again."

We'll keep you posted when we hear more about the parkrun events in Richmond.