Parkrun Removes Age and Gender Records // More or Less Inclusive? 

How pathetic. Can't believe Parkrun caved in to this nonsense.

Parkrun - 'We're doing this to be inclusive!' - 'But only for certain people'.... The natural conclusion to this is to get rid of timing and positions as well. Why even bother running 5k? Just turn up at the park, run any distance, go home.

From the outside, looking in, it seems as though the organisers are really keen on pushing the "it's not a race" line, to keep it inclusive, whilst ignoring the fact that for a big proportion of participants it's treated either as a race or a time trial. You might be racing to win, beat your previous best, win a certain category or beat some friends. It means different things to different people, so to alienate a large section of them seems a bit short sighted.

Start the petition Running Brooms: Bring Back the Stats. I'll happily sign it as would thousands of others 👍

It's just poor comms in a log line of poor comms. I agree that the motive for removing the records doesn't fit with those statistics being a barrier for participation. I've introduced well over 25 different people to parkrun and not one of them even looked at the records before taking part, let alone seen that Jonny Brownlee did 14 minutes at York so they couldn't possibly run there! It's been a sledgehammer to crack a very small nut. No body 'wins' at parkrun, but this week we've all lost.

As I’ve got older and less quick it was nice to see how I fared within my age group . If stats put people off why record a time at all…?

100% agree with all the points you’ve said. Don’t believe for a second that having records discourages new participants. Didn’t discourage me or 9 million+ others. If you don’t like the records, no-one is forcing anyone to look at them. They’re (were) fairly hidden away.

If this is an important issue then runners, and more importantly, volunteers should just not turn up at parkrun, not buy any products.

Most people who attend a Parkrun don't goto break any course PBs, but it is informative for us to gauge how fast/slow a course is amongst other things. Unfortunately, rather than confront the issue - common sense didn't prevail. What next? Remove Olympic or world records? Its always the minority ruining it for the very mass majority.

Parkrun has made a very bad unilateral decision. Some sponsors might reconsider their support. Parkrun should now be renamed "Parkwanderaboutaimlessly" They should have done a survey amongst the majority of Parkrunners, not just the complaining few. I do agree with the need to protect women's interests.

Worst decision, I earned my first England vest last year and I wouldn't have been the same runner if I didn't see the records set at parkrun where I first started my runing Journey That objective of trying to get records and beat other people's time was part of the thrill of it for me Parkrun was helping young athletes inspire to do better and could have helped a great future generation of runners. This is a huge step backwards and takes the fun out of it for many runners now.

I'm slow and 50. Why can't I see what others of my age do as motivation? Am I average or shocking? I want to know for my own personal growth.

I've cancelled my parkrun Forever subscription and won't pay again until Age Group stats etc are reinstated.

I'm blind, I'm old and I'm fat, but I love admiring the results of the sub 20 parkrunners. North Lakes parkrun is my local and many people have finished the 3 laps and going through the finish line just as I complete my first lap. For goodness sake, get over it. I compete against myself (or my guide dog lol) so I don't get offended on other people's results, I just admire them. Bring back the results!!!!!

Go back 15-20 years when runners and running clubs were asked to assist in new event tests and set-up; they were the people needed and have contributed massively in getting parkrun to where it is today. By default, I would say that these runners from back then now hold most of the 50+ category records and with a flick of the switch, the hard work, training and passion has been binned. I feel that 50+ competitive athletes as well as keen runners are sadly not wanted at parkrun anymore and it hurts!

I feel the same as the running brooms on this. What a shame to remove all the historic data. Demotivation for parkrun activity for me

I'm really not convinced that these fairly specific stats were a barrier to people going to Parkrun. Most people new to Parkrun are probably looking at their position and time only.

I think its crazy. Everyone I know takes great pleasure out of the stats. It's harmless free fun!

Just waiting for them to remove the word RUN from the name. I already go very little and will go even less now. 500 may happen in another decade now as I doubt I'll stick to 12 a year.

What will be next, do away with our times in the name of 'inclusivity'? No more PB's because some imagined person may be unhappy that they can't beat it?

Oddly enough, now I’ve got to the 70-74 age group, I had thought of returning to parkrun, but a few things had been putting my off - I’ve always done more than my share of volunteering, but changes, such as using your own phone for timekeeping etc had been putting me off, along with an unwillingness to have a ‘fair usage’ system in place (people with well over 200 runs to their name, but not volunteered once, for what is described as a ‘community’) I think this latest bombshell has finally convinced me that I have far better things to do on a Saturday morning - thanks for the video!

Senior age group runner, won't be bothering anymore and that includes volunteering, no competition makes it pointless.

Really poor decision in my opinion. One of the reasons I enjoy doing Parkrun especially when visiting new parks runs is to see what times my age group record is and see how close I can get to it. For me, taking the stats away, makes doing Parkrun less appealing for me.

People don't have to look at the stats if it doesn't interest them.

It is a sad reflection of today's world. Even parkrun seems to be pandering to a small minority, and I will guess really small percentage, and ultimately damage the competitive nature of parkrun.

Thank you Running Brooms! I totally agree with you. After all we run/walk parkrun for a short time on Saturday morning but for the rest of the week can spend many happy moments trawling through the statistics in idle moments

It’s shocking way Parkrun have gone about this. I know I’m never going to be the fastest on a course but I like to see who is! Think we all know it’s not a race but the stats help to improve us for races and a benchmark for where you are to where you want to be

Thanks for letting us know, that’s sad news, I was coming about fourth overall in my age group 55-59 & my park run times have been up in the 82% in my age group, is that all gone now? Rip off!! 😞

Ii totally agree with you. I hope that this isn't the thin edge of the wedge leading to more changes which will ultimately spoil our Saturday mornings. I don't think that the stats would actually put someone off. I really like them even though I never stood a chance of figuring in them. I always like to look at the course record as it is/was a good indicator of how tough the course was. I also enjoy seeing the record and saying 'how fast...how is that even possible?' !! What a shame....🙁

I am not a fast runner, but the stats were all part of the fun and good for motivation. Removing them is very shortsighted and diminishes enjoyment. They've not just taken away the gender records but also the most events table, beloved of parkrun tourists, where gender has no bearing. It's just ridiculous. Furthermore, parkrun began as a time trial. Yes it has become more than that, but playing down that aspect is making it less appealing to the people for whom it was originally intended - runners.

I once raised an issue with parkrun and got zero support from anyone in the RU-vid or other running community to help change the issue and this is another load of corporate horse sh*t. Unless you all STOP going to parkrun, nothing changes.

It looks as if there are going to be a lot of interesting observations made this Saturday morning, nationwide. I'm not aware of anybody who objects to the data parkrun collects or how they employ it. Furthermore, being a septuagenarian, I take an especial interest in my age gradings. I'm not impressed with the reasons given for the changes, following "consultations" with various interest groups. It comes over as PR-babble. I will be dropping HQ a line. A caustic one.

Just a point of correction please on the video @3m 25s ...... Mara Yamauchi didn't actually say women's records should only be held by those "assigned at birth" as the sex of a woman ...... This term "assigned at birth" is part of trans ideology, and is something Mara is definitely not signed up to. But she did say that it should depend on your sex at birth as to which category you should take part in.

The main Park Run rationale makes no sense: Concern that fast runners participating will put other runners off taking part...? Last I checked some fairly handy athletes run the London Marathon - and that seems to be a fairly popular event with other runners.

If you choose to be a new gender that you weren’t born with at birth then ask park run officials to create a new park run gender group along with the hermaphrodites. Don’t force the cancellation of historic run data. If looking at historical gender/age run data records offends you then don’t look but don’t prevent others.!!!

"If you tolerate this then your timing will be next " ... ...

Cheers Dawn & John. I'll be honest and say, I'm a bit upset about this and Id go as far as to say, the event has been ruined forever. Think it's an absolute ridiculous decision but typical how society is at the moment. ParkRun boasts itself on being all inclusive but now seem to want to demonise faster runners and take away records people have spent years building up. It’s completely unfair. You just know it won't be long before they take the timing away too and that really will be the end. ParkRun apparently isn't a race but there is nothing wrong with running competitively if that's what you desire. Suggesting fast runners could stop people taking on ParkRun is ridiculous. My first ParkRun time was 32:47. People ran it in 18 minutes that day but I couldn't care less. This crazy puts me off ever doing ParkRun again and I hope they consider views of the majority and reverse this crazy decision.

It’s a shame! Though it’s a long time since I went along to my local parkrun. As long as I can still run and record it on my device, share it online, train and enter a few races a year, I’m okay. Changes happen and we adapt to them, but, yes, it’s a shame.

World has gone mad! I absolutely agree with you on this. It is beyond frustrating :o(

I'm coming up 67 been running 51 years still do half a dozen fell races a year do park runs I'm not bothered what anybody else does in the race or park run that's my choice. Doing away with the records and stats isn't going to attract new people to running I'd bet most people who are new to running do a park run because somebody who does them asks them to go and surly these new people will want to compare times etc to see how they are doing to keep going. It seems to be a cancel culture we live in so I'm not surprised this has happened it's happening in every walk of life

I think it has made parkrun less relevant now, it will most lessen attendance

It’s another example of the modern woke world. We can’t have anything nice. Once again the minority overrule the majority. For me at least this has dampened my enthusiasm for parkrun. Sad times.

Are you saying that women standing up for their rights are toxic?

I agree. It’s a real shame. I’ll likely never get a record, but it’s great to watch friends strive for local records, etc. Sadly, i think the trans issue is a pivotal reason. I’m with Mara Y. Her want is a lot more fair than the current (now recent) scenario.

Hmmm... this video seems critical of PR for not taking a stand, yet TwoRunningBrooms does not take a stand either! The reason ideologues get their way is because most people are too frightened to take a stand ("we won't get into THAT controversy", etc.) but it is only by taking a stand that the "ideological creep" will be stopped. IMHO ParkRun has made a mistake: they should simply have been clear that the categories of male and female are for those assigned so at birth and that a "gender non-conforming" or "non-binary" or "prefer not to say", etc. category is for those who do not identify with their biological sex. The issue only arose because some transwomen - despite there being a "non-binary" category - chose to run in the women's category. So, rather than say, "sorry, you should run in the non-binary category", they've taken a huge element of ParkRun away from everyone else!

John and Dawn, well done and thanks for opening a discussion in this via your video. Its way more than Parkrun did. Judging by the amount of views and comments, its a very emotive development. Thanks.

I suggest everyone asks their Run Director to take a vote before the next run and send results to HQ

I don't bother even bother with barcode now. What the point as everything on strava now anyway. It's a negative thing to be competive now a days lol.Dont understand why the removed parkrun tourism as well as it could only be good for the area If they get more visitors.

I booked a few runs yesterday with run through and they’ve changed their categories, woman have their own category and everything else is lumped into one category which is about 5 sub categories. Make of that what you will

I am very sad. Thank you for your point of view. I think HQ could have off loaded the stats to a third party, and hope they will.

I think ducking and diving on the issue of males taking female records makes you look spineless.

This decision is the initial seeds of parkrun's downfall. (Go woke - go broke) My experience of parkrun is that it is the most competitive non-competitive event I've participated in. A huge value of parkrun rests in it's inclusivity, and the stats allow you to see how you are going for your age and gender, and compare one's progress over time. All the current stats today allow you to get a perspective on your results, and helps with personal encouragement. As a soon-to-be 68 year old, I don't want to be compared en mass with 25 year olds - that would be truly discouraging.

Great video guys, sums up my feelings. However, the biggest loss to me, as a tourist, is the most events table. Really can’t understand how this could put people off parkrun. Indeed most non tourists don’t even know it exists 😢

Well constructed piece. I agree with your thoughts. Pleased to see my local parkrun on your video, Clumber Park. Also think I might have spotted Rother Valley on there?

Parkrun means different things to different participants , those at the very fast end like to compete and chase records , its not wrong or elitist or not inclusive. How patronising to adults that you think they will be put off by seeing times they know they can never do. How pathetic

I think we all know the reason why. Of course it’s not positive. Makes me glad I run solo

We all know the real reason why they have done this, but we can't mention it or we will be labelled trans-phobic. As usual it is pandering to the very small minority, and spoil it for the majority - so we all suffer

I don't think it has been mentioned that parkrun hq have also removed the "search" facility for "data protection" reasons, I understand. So no more searching on a Saturday evening to see where The Brooms, and other friends, have run, and their times and age grading.

Well done for highlighting this debacle! Again the majority are being affected by a small minority! Get a life parkrun as I know from being one of the middle pack runners that we get great enthusiasm taking part in something which includes quality runners and no one is put off joining in a parkrun. The proof is the great growth of this Saturday morning venture and the vast numbers taking part. Being 72 I look forward to seeing age grading as my times aren’t going to substantially increase at my age but I may just clip a % off!

Utter piffle. Unable to see the point at all. It’s a sign of the world we live in. Unwise decision which needs serious reflection.

Seems rather silly! But at least there is still Strava to record your stats.

Nutty world. In an attempt to appease everyone they just annoy (almost) everyone

Many people go to parkrun to keep fit and want to get fitter. Times are a way of judging this and although people will still get their own times, the other stats interest most people

Hard to believe - those in charge need to remember that diversity means also including all views even those you don't like and I'm pretty sure that the majority are not in favour of this

I’m 62 and mainly run ultras these days. I can still churn out a sub 20min parkrun which I occasionally run as a good threshold workout. With very few competitive runners in my age group, historic records give me a good benchmark when comparing different parkruns. If the organisers have decided to make it an uncompetitive event then fine, but count me out. Perhaps they will soon even stop recording times. There are many other races available that do not pander to this woke nonsense. I shall simply go elsewhere. Another great idea ruined by moronic do-gooders.

Its the annual dumb decision from parkrun 'management', which has been poorly communicated, again. Last year they thought a former Sun newspaper editor would be great for inclusivity.... which they soon realised was nuts and ditched. Now this. parkrun needs management that knows a thing or two about running a global business. I can see an argument for removing fastest times stats, but the wholesale removal of all stats is crazy.

Such a disappointment for all ParkRunners! Nobody is buying the reason given. Please don't lie to us - huge problem I acknowledge - but there must surely be a way to address it without spoiling the fun for so many!

Slap a wig on i'll build up for some pbs, yay!

Seems to me that the reason given for this by Parkrun bosses i.e " so as not to discourage new parkrunners" is just smoke and mirrors to deflect away from the transgender issue that you mentioned. This is something that I suppose they rightly cannot ignore, but sad that it should put a damper on Parkrun for so many, including myself, who enjoy following my stats.

Such a pity that Parkrun has removed these stats. And they are not fooling anyone with their absurd reason for their decision. Come on Parkrun. Do the right thing and return the stats!

Should be optional... not just binned and no option given for if you a) care and want to look at a record. b) aren't as serious and don't really care. Have the records accessible through an application.

Commenting from an Australian perspective, I wonder how many potential participants are not participating in Australian parkruns because of the "off-putting" stats, as a couple of weeks ago we broke the Australian record for participation! 2 simple solutions are - 1 add another category to register for parkrun ie male, female, other and 2 dont display the records "so prominently", so those off-put would not view them unless they searched for them. Given the most events records have been removed, it also must be considered "off-putting", therefore should the wearing of milestone shirts be discontinued to not make any of the "global working group - people who had registered but not participated and those who registered and participated once" feel off-putting and anxious

Why change a winning formula? This change is a slap in the face of loyal parkrunners who have spent years and years supporting parkrun. I am sure the sponsors won’t be happy with so many disgruntled parkrunners and walkers. I have never heard a single negative comment about the stats during my 456 parkruns at 103 different venues. I have fielded thousands of positive questions and interest in the stats. People love the stats and many are motivated by them.

Thank you for the video. I completely agree with all you state in it. Poking in “the rabbit hole”, it seems that a small minority of transgender dictates an overwhelming majority of males and females of all ages that they must not be listed anymore with their achievements and motivational records. To me it does not appear encouraging what Park Run does, neither is it in any way fair or “democratic”. We should gather and form a new database, a private initiative of runners, and put it online. Some information may be lost, but with information that can be salvaged the foundation for a new motivating and “democratic” data base for all can be laid.

This wokeness stems from Plato about 2400 years ago

Bring back the stats. No consultation with RD's in Australia. Real issue is inability of parkrun HQ to deal with people who don't identify as male or female, with a threat to their financial bottom line in the UK.

This change affects less than 1% or Parkrunners. The only thing these records do is massage the egos of the people achieving them. You'll still get your age grading, position, gender position - you just won't see who is the top male/female record holder. Very few people doing Parkrun are aiming for that position or even looking at it. If you want an official record, join an official, timed race, not a casual Parkrun.

Totally agree. I've been Parkrunning for almost 8 years and enjoyed reading the stats and competing against myself and some others on a weekly basis. It's harmless and no one I know has ever highlighted any problems. If it isn't broke don't fix it.

Saw that news yesterday. I guess it's welcome to 2024 where inclusivity is more important than common sense.

The removal of stats is completely wrong. Seeing the amazing achievements from fast runners is inspiring. I don't know anyone who knows of anyone who would be put off by records. I'm concerned about what this will lead to.

I agree with you. They’ve got rid of something that was crucial to parkrun culture.

Why not just have 2 new categories for trans men and trans women going forward?

Awful decision, hopefully they U turn, if not i advise boycotting parkrun. Where's the common sense?! They seem to be digging their own hole by spiralling in to this woke nonsense, i haven't done parkrun much in the last 4 years but I will cherish the moments running parkrun from 2013-2019, it was so much simpler and fun. Sadly the bigger it's gotten, the worse it's got😢

That Kipchoge guy running 2 hour marathons is so annoying, exactly half the time it takes me. Triggered, should I retire, I am so young!

Os this due to the LGBT issue

But it's not an effing race according to all the beardy blokes who pushed back against women who wanted fairness for females.

What a cop out. Unbelievable. Will totally take some fun out of it. Might as well just run round a park with your mates

How can records put off the slower runners? You had to mindfully look for them on the course website, they didn't just pop up in your face.

I'll bet this is the liveliest comments section you've ever had.

Very disappointed at the removal of the stats. As a more mature runner who is slowing down the age cat records have been very motivating. The records (and particularly the national records) were not prominently displayed so how could they offend anyone? Parkrun in tis drive to be "inclusive" is now excluding people who enjoyed and were motivated by the stats (and of course this group was not consulted). Also removing the stats does not address the issue of how someone registers for parkrun so therefore why remove the stats?

A big own goal! I fear that this decision is going to turn hordes of people away from parkrun not attract new runners. It will be interesting to see over the coming months if the numbers dwindle. If they do I can see a big U TURN on the cards. Nearly everyone I have spoke to objects to these ridiculous removals from the website, I can see a petition coming!

Utter codswallop. Parkrun should not remove it data. I would suggest that the majority of runners (whatever their level) like to see progress in their running results. For many its hugely motivating to see your stats improve, especially if you run the same course regularly. If you take it to its logical conclusion, why bother with any kind of organised run at all? Who cares about barcodes then? What's the point? It makes a mockery of the whole concept. Give it 12 months and guarantee numbers will go down. I think it will actually put many runners off for that reason. Think about it. Many new Parkrunners join because they spoke to an evangelical Parkrunner! We seem so adverse to competition these days. I totally understand the gender issue regards trans athletes in sport, and why female (genetic at birth) athletes feel that they are getting a rough deal regards records being taken by athletes who were once male. I personally don't think that is fair, but it does need to be addressed. However, to penalise the huge majority over a tiny minority is not right either. Strap on a metaphoric pair Parkrun, and put the stats back or you will lose out in the long run.

Having had only run local parkrun's since just before turning 50, call it vain but seeing that i still held top 2, 3 best times for these courses (without plated shoes !) I wasn't expecting the 2 min recent 65year age group course record that I got on one of these courses to last 15 years also, having turned 65 last year even if 20.03 is I realise good for my age on any course and Towcester isn't class as very fast.(this time may have been bettered already ) In fairness I only run the odd parkrun as time trials and I will still use Parkrun's for this purpose but will most probably just time myself and not bother with the barcode as what's the point now really. Let's be honest what percentage of participants looked at the everyones results anyway. I assume records for those that want to display the teeshirt with 100 park runs and the like will still be able to collect the teeshirt ? as for a lot of people I totally appreciate it quite an achievement. Ian

Bonkers act by #ParkRun HQ - What next, no running as it puts off people who can't run? Spend your time/money/effort #ParkRun HQ organising defibrillators at all events!

And thousands of parkrun runners don’t care about the stats. They are just interested in,if they are getting quicker, or don’t care about their time and just enjoy the Saturday morning get together for a run. I personally never dwell about the results, as I use my parkrun as a tempo run, or include it as part of a long run. I do the monthly pacing, or will just hold back and run with a slower friend.

Very interesting. The parkruns in most of your videos are crowded therefore if some runners are on the fence then maybe another hobby is a better match. In US we have non binary category and some men competing against women in many events. In the near future I believe younger age groups can compete against Masters in marathons. It is absolutely crazy what is going on. I never look at the age category results. I just don't care. They should do the same if they are worried about comparisons.

I don't think you can describe the parkrun facebook groups as being 'normal' in any way shape or form

A petition to bring back the stats is all well and good, great idea 👍 but what about the elephant in the room? I say keep the women's category for women, that's female women, not male "women". Men & women have different physiology, so it's not fair on the women & girls when trans "women" take their stats!

Terrible decision. I currently hold 6 course records. One has lasted since 2012. I was also 2nd male with the most first place finishes 359 out of 368 parkruns. Managed to never finish outside the top 2 places. Travelling to different locations was the highlight of the week. Aiming to set age group and course records was the incentive to take part. I'm not going tomorrow.

what's the point of using a registration based run when there's no data. I may as well go out on my own. I don't know but can you compare yourself to your own previous records? I feel it take that little something from runners who are trying to use an official time to better themselves.