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Parkrun cancelled after charges is axed entirely

A free parkrun which became the first in the UK to charge participants has become the first in the country to be axed.

Hundreds took part in two free, timed, runs organised by Parkrun UK in Little Stoke Park near Bristol.

They put on a 2km run for children and a 5km route for anyone who wants to take part - and until last month the runs have been free.

But Stoke Gifford Parish Council said it was unfair to expect non-running residents to pay for the upkeep on the paths - voting by a majority in favour of the charge.

They initially proposed a charge of £1 per runner as a maintenance fee, but then voted the volunteer-run organisation should pay.

Now, organisers have said the run - which has been a weekly event at the park since 2012 - will no longer take place.

Announcing the closure parkrun said it was a "disappointing outcome for everyone", adding they had been unable to convince the council "of the true value of the event".

Therefore, as the Council has now revoked our permission to run in Little Stoke Park for free, we have taken the difficult decision to bring things to a conclusion and, for the first time, permanently close one of our free, weekly, timed runs.

– Parkrun
150,000
runners take part in a parkrun each week
900
different parkrun locations

We are all really disappointed that Little Stoke parkrun has found itself in this position.

The past eight months have been a difficult time for the volunteer team as all we have ever wanted to do is run, jog and walk in the park with friends.

We are feeling the huge sense of loss of the community that has built up over three and a half years

– Becky Bushnell, co-Event Director of Little Stoke parkrun