UK seaside town’s popular parkrun suspended as runners ‘constantly tripped & barged’ by ‘ego-driven’ racers wanting PBs

A POPULAR seaside Park Run has been suspended after being flooded with holidaymakers and “ego-driven” runners wanting a PB. The forced cancellation came after an increase in reports of runners getting “tripped” and “barged” along the 5km route. The free run is meant to encourage friendly exercise every Saturday Credit: BNPS The run is manned by volunteers who claim reports in bad behaviour has spiked Credit: BNPS A number of runners have reported that the run in Weymouth, Dorset has been ruined by congestion and “disgusing behaviour”. The problems stem from the number of participants almost doubling in size during the summer holidays with tourists staying in the area joining in. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Narrow parts of the course become congested leading some faster runners to barge into slower-paced participants to get past. The issue is said to be exacerbated by people running “two or three abreast chatting to each other” and blocking the way for quicker people. The typical attendance is around 300 runners – last weekend saw 600 Credit: BNPS Runners have reported being barged and flooded by fellow participants racing for a PB Credit: BNPS One participant said he was shouted at at last Saturday’s event for not going fast enough. They said: “Didn‘t report it but one runner behind me shouted at me to ‘overtake him, go on!’ when I had stayed behind a fellow who was pacing me. I had no desire and little manoeuvring room to do. I had never experienced this behaviour at parkrun before.” Another said: “A lot of ego-driven runners cutting you up unashamedly to reach their PB.” Stephen Lummis said: “People shouldn’t run 2 or 3 abreast blocking paths. I know they probably want to chat but on the narrow bits just apply common sense. Most read in The Sun “Obviously barging anyone is disgusting behaviour.” Gareth Wilkinson said: “Unfortunately park run has become a bit of a monster and is now a victim of its own success. “It doesn’t help that selfish individuals take no notice of the safety briefings and any warnings given out.” Helen Harrell said: “As a slow runner, I have sometimes found it difficult to cross the course, because the fast runners are stampeding through before I have taken the first turn into the wooded area.” Now the volunteers who oversee the weekly event have cancelled it for the next two Saturdays, hoping to resume again on September 5 when holidaymakers have left. In a statement, the team said: “Our numbers have increased over the summer but more worryingly, the number of incidents reported to the Run Director have also increased. “We ask each week that everyone keeps to the left side of the path particularly on the out and back stretch, and most do but each week we have reports of people overtaking when there isn’t room. “Runners and members of the public are getting tripped or barged and with every incident reported comes several hours of work for our core team.” They added that signs had been ordered to urge runners to give way during the narrow sections of the course. They continued: “This won’t hurt your time, it won’t stop you from getting a PB and it will make sure everyone continues to enjoy the event.” Park Run was first founded in London’s Bushy Park in 2004 and now has over 2,000 events around the world taking place on Saturday mornings. The issue in Weymouth has prompted a wider debate about how to overcome congestion. There have been suggestions of staggered start times to allow the faster runners to get away from the main crowd who often include dog walkers and parents with buggies. But this is against Park Run rules as every run is meant to start at 9am. Many people say runners should just be more considerate at pinch points on the course. On average the Weymouth Park Run attracts between 300 to 400 people but last weekend saw almost 600 people attend. Comment now