Tough Mudder won't return to Finsbury Park after furious backlash to 'trashing' of North London site
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The Tough Mudder endurance event won't return to Finsbury Park after the event caused extensive damage to the ground and provoked fury from people living nearby.
Haringey Council confirmed to ITV News London that "several weeks’ worth of damage" had been caused to the park and as a result the event would "not be held in Finsbury Park going forward".
A statement added: "We are proud of our green spaces in Haringey and are working together with residents to make sure that our many wonderful parks remain vibrant and welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy."
The decision came after a furious backlash from a charity which said it was the wrong place to hold such an extreme event.
Hundreds of people braved the obstacle course in North London over the weekend in conditions made worse by the recent wet weather.
Pictures showed long trails of muddy footprints, waterlogged tracks and large sections of boggy ground.
Charity Friends of Finsbury Park said they were "devastated and upset" after parts of the park were effectively "destroyed".
"For our public, urban local park to be trashed like this is very upsetting, the assault course went over the whole park and we have grass that has been absolutely destroyed and soil destroyed," Bethany Anderson told ITV News London.
Bethany said there were effectively "mini lakes" in the park where the soil had been badly damaged from years of events.
She added: "We have nesting birds on the trees and our insect population which is declining in this country as a rapid rate and needs protection has not been thought of."
MP for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn said he was "disgusted and appalled" and the park should be restored and repaired.
The MP who is also a member of Friends of Finsbury Park said: "Ultimately this calls into question the endless cycle of the renting out of space in Finsbury Park for commercial operators.
"It is a local park and should be treated as such - run by the community for the community."
In a statement Tough Mudder said the event prided itself on working "in tandem with all its venues, local authorities and key stakeholders".
Organisers said they had been in "close communication with Haringey Council for the entire process and throughout the event at Finsbury Park.
"Together, we recognise the damage to the park and the impact it has had on the surrounding community.
"We are working with all relevant stakeholders to restore and repair the damaged areas of the park. "Tough Mudder empowers people of all abilities to transform their lives through our unconventional experiences.
"Built on the principles of teamwork, courage and personal accomplishment, our events are designed to motivate people of all abilities to improve their physical and mental health, whilst also encouraging charitable fundraising locally across London and the UK.
"We will be using this ethos of togetherness to help restore the park with Haringey Council and the wider community."
Haringey Council added:
No licence was required for this event.
There was no damage to trees or other wildlife habitats as a result of the event.
In line with our Outdoor Events Policy, all organisers of events in Haringey Parks are required to pay an Environmental Impact Fee for each event.
This money is kept separate from other events income and is used to address immediate funding priorities identified by the Friends group of the park in which the money was generated.
The fund has seen over £171,000 invested in community projects in Finsbury Park over the last 5 years, including £34,000 for this year
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