Records ERASED from Parkrun amid row over trans-women holding fastest times in female races

Records ERASED from Parkrun amid row over trans-women holding fastest times in female races

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GB NEWS
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 08/02/2024

- 15:33

Updated: 08/02/2024

- 15:53

The grassroots running organisation claimed the decision is part of a longer-term strategy to promote inclusivity

Parkrun has stopped showing times for its fastest finishers after trans-women held female records.

Local organisers received emails from Parkrun bosses warning it will no longer publish records on first-place finishers and age-grade records.


Historic data outlining the identity of the fastest male and female athlete to complete each 5km course has already been hidden from view for participants.

Thousands of athletes participate in the free Parkrun event across the UK every Saturday morning.

Runners take part in the 5km parkrun at Victoria Park in east Belfast

Runners take part in the 5km parkrun at Victoria Park in east Belfast

PA

However, organisers have come under fire for controversially allowing biological men to self-identify as females.

Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies described Parkrun as "cowardly".

She instead claimed the organisation should add course records for trans athletes alongside the existing male and female records.

Davies said: "Rather than give females their fair sports results from Parkrun … they have removed from public view all records.

"The vast majority want simple, fair sport for all based on the biological reality of the bodies we run / race / compete with.

"The feelings of all females should never matter less than the feelings of a few trans-identifying males."

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Former Olympic athletes Sharron Davies openly criticised the change

Former Olympic athletes Sharron Davies openly criticised the change

PA

She added on social media: 'Keep sport fair for both sexes!'

Mara Yamauchi, a former British Olympic runner, also slammed the organisers.

She wrote on Twitter: "It will be interesting to see how Parkrunners react to all this data disappearing. I predict that a lot of men will be fed up about it.

"If males continue participating in [females] category (at least one did last Sat), I will continue speaking up."

The row comes after Policy Exchange revealed three female Parkrun records were being held by runners who were born biologically male.

Participants in the 5km parkrun around Hyde Park in Leeds

Participants in the 5km parkrun around Hyde Park in Leeds

PA

A Parkrun spokeswoman said the changes were part of long-term strategy on inclusivity.

She said: "We try hard to make sure the information we share is consistent with our values, and that, in all that we do, we continue to find ways to remove barriers to registration and participation.

"What was clear is that there was a disconnect between the performance data displayed so prominently on the site, and our mission to create opportunities for as many people as possible to take part in Parkrun events - especially those who are anxious about activities such as Parkrun, but who potentially have an enormous amount to gain.

"Based on the conclusions and recommendations of the project group, we will no longer publish data such as most first finishes, sub 17 men and sub 20 women, and age grade or category speed records.

"Alongside these, as part of our ongoing data protection improvements, the search function has been removed."

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