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I put this in the running thread, but thought it may be of interest to a wider audience.
Seems odd I can meet people inside a pub/cinema but can do an organised run round the local park.
https://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2021/05/21/parkrun-to-delay-restart-of-5k-events-in-england/
Local Councils dragging their heels on permissions - a real shame, I miss it greatly!
Having been closely involved in getting one back up and running I can confirm the hoops we're being asked to jump through and the bureaucracy is ridiculous.
A country with an obesity crisis and coming out of a pandemic surely needs all the free exercise provision they can get.
Parkrun is one of the few things in the world that is entirely positive and it should be brought back as soon as possible. It's taken me a while but I'm not far away from my 50 and am keen to get back to it .
the hoops we’re being asked to jump through and the bureaucracy is ridiculous.
That is one thing that bothers me about our "return to normal" - somehow, in a country run by bureaucrats, we have managed to add more layers of bureaucracy that aren't going away.
I read a piece about it. Some local council are just terrified of large gatherings. There are stories of them(councils) imposing idiotic things like insisting that joining instructions for runners that specify temp washing guidance for kit post event, or evidence of vaccination.
What makes it even more daft, is that I marshalled at an MTB XC event on Wednesday, and there was no heavy handed council presence...Although the organiser at one point was heard to mutter under his breath "Christ I hope this doesn't turn out to be a super-spreader event"
I’ve noticed that Delamere Forest are pushing their own running events (quite expensive). Don’t know if Parkrun will also be on
I think that long lines of people panting heavily while they run through everyone else's vapour trails might cause a little concern.
Our council is scared of the unknowns that parkrun brings.
An organised running event knows how many people will turn up and roughly how long they'll be there. Also, most runners finish an event and go home.
As you don't need to register with parkrun you can have any number of people turn up and they tend to hand around for a chat afterwards. The cynic in me also says that parkrun don't pay for the use of the facilities...
I think that long lines of people panting heavily while they run through everyone else’s vapour trails might cause a little concern.
parkrun paid for a load of research that suggested that, with a few small changes, the risk of transmission is tiny even in the start pens and at the finish.
Parkrun is one of the best public health initiatives we’ve ever had in the UK.
Bureaucrats putting obstacles in the way of its return should be ashamed. God, I sound like a Mail reader now.
Forestry England, I’m looking at you in particular. You manage our forests for our benefit, not yours.
I think that long lines of people panting heavily while they run through everyone else’s vapour trails might cause a little concern.
What's the evidence that it's actually a problem?
somehow, in a country run by bureaucrats, we have managed to add more layers of bureaucracy that aren’t going away.
I fear that one of the really negative long term effects of all this is that socially inadequate men in high vis jackets, wielding clipboards are dizzy on their new 'powers' and won't be surrendering them lightly.
If you could just fill out this form in triplicate....
From what I've heard the issue is they don't want to risk bringing back a subset of events incase those that do restart get overwhelmed. Sadly sounds like there is a lot of heel dragging going on getting landowner permission for a large number of events.
Our local junior has been back running for 3 weeks now, admittedly with a smaller target age group at the moment to keep the numbers down.
From what I’ve heard the issue is they don’t want to risk bringing back a subset of events incase those that do restart get overwhelmed.
Yup. Loads of councils have approved a restart in principle but as you say those events could be overwhelmed by runners from neighbouring areas that haven't had approval.
I fear that one of the really negative long term effects of all this is that socially inadequate men in high vis jackets, wielding clipboards are dizzy on their new ‘powers’ and won’t be surrendering them lightly.
If you want an interesting, if tough, read on the theory of self-perpetuating systems of miserable governance, I reccommend the "Power of the Powerless", by Vaclav Havel. Admittedly a bit over the top, as he lived through the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, but his ideas are very interesting. One of his observations is that, in any given system of oppressive governance, the higher up you are, you become increasingly beholden to the unwritten rules and norms. This makes those at the top, in a way, less powerful, not more so.
I'm in mixed feelings about it, it's obviously very different between events where some only got 50 people and others get 700+. There is no way that 700 runners can keep a distance from each other over narrow paths.
Also some of the extra tasks that the volunteers have been asked to do seem onerous / don't make sense such as washing tokens / hi viz vests - if these are left untouched between weekends the chance of transmission is minute.
Runner here. I'm sure ParkRun is a positive thing generally, but why can't people just go for a normal, unorganised run? Seems to be a growing trend of organisations sectioning/annexing off large parts of the park with Hi Viz, obnoxious music, people shouting encouraging slogans like YOU'RE SMASHING IT, YOU'VE GOT THIS! etc etc, gazebo structures/flags etc, and then all the vehicles to get all the stuff onto the park.
Moan over 🙂
Hey don't worry, just go and pay £22 for a licensed Forestry Run as ran by Forestry England or Scotland!!
Sounds like a great idea, said no one ever!!!!
people shouting encouraging slogans like YOU’RE SMASHING IT, YOU’VE GOT THIS!
I blame the Peloton adverts
Loads of councils have approved a restart in principle but as you say those events could be overwhelmed by runners from neighbouring areas that haven’t had approval.
Totally get this, but couldn't they just cap the number of participants? Then if they are over-subscribed have different people the following week?
why can’t people just go for a normal, unorganised run?
They can, and many do.
This is more about institutional reluctance to resume activities in accordance with the UK Gov roadmap.
I’m sure ParkRun is a positive thing generally, but why can’t people just go for a normal, unorganised run?
*parkrun (small p, one word...)
They can, and most do.
But there's something very nice about meeting people once a week on the same course with a bigger group of like minded people. People like an event to aim at, and to be able to see their progression. I know plenty of people who wouldn't be running every week were it not for their Saturday parkrun to aim at.
The courses aren't sectioned of either, they are open for public use even when the events take place.
And the whooping and cheering might not be for you, but for many its really encouraging and an important part of why they do it.
pathetic petty bureaucracy prevents positivity
The cynic in me also says that parkrun don’t pay for the use of the facilities…
A few years ago I was involved in securing Govt endorsement of the Parkrun model (and issuing the steer to Local Authorities that enabling organised runs on their green space was "a good thing").
The argument that Parkrun don't pay for use/damage was common. Easily dismissed as the participants are usually local (certainly national) taxpayers whose space it is.
Where there is a problem is the runs in remoter places with few residents, where an influx of outsiders creates damage to e.g. footy pitches that the local town council etc. have to pick up with no added funds.
Seems to be a growing trend of organisations sectioning/annexing off large parts of the park with Hi Viz, obnoxious music, people shouting encouraging slogans like YOU’RE SMASHING IT, YOU’VE GOT THIS! etc etc, gazebo structures/flags etc, and then all the vehicles to get all the stuff onto the park.
Which park runs that then ? None of the ones I've done have been like that.
Mostly it's a person with a megaphone who basically lays out the rules. Congratulates some folk who did a load of parkruns and then shouts go. At the other end there's about 20ft of tape to corral folk past a specific set of people.
Park -even the course is open to all and the non runners right of way at all times.
It's about as minimal as you could get.
The cynic in me also says that parkrun don’t pay for the use of the facilities…
You know that users don't pay to park run either.
If you can't see the benifit to society of getting a few hundred folk (at each event)mobile and motivated to run and better them selves then your a little blinkered.
Maybe englandshire do it different though
I am disappointed at this but not at all surprised at some landowners' reluctance to give permission given the nature of an event where numbers aren't limited. And to be fair, although I want to return to my regular parkrun, I have been concerned about the risk myself and wasn't sure if I would have returned straight away.
Totally get this, but couldn’t they just cap the number of participants? Then if they are over-subscribed have different people the following week?
How do you propose to stop runners using their local park? Aside from that, it would require a whole new bureaucracy and takes us away from the ethos of "turn up and run".
Same reason why some people can't ride their bikes without driving to a trail centre to follow some arrows...the idea of going and doing it yourself and thinking about it all is daunting to some people so having this put on for them and 'guiding' them suddenly makes it very appealing and easier to do - the social aspect of having people around you doing it at the same time also helps.
An example of this from a biking point of view - a remote friend has been a bike for 30+ years and has lived in the area all his life - but has never taken his bike up the local hills. Before becoming a parent, he did drive the 70 minutes to Glentress 3 times a week (twice during the week evenings and once at weekend) and thought that Glentress was 'mountain biking' (certainly a part of it)...he had no interest in going up the hills as it wasn't signposted, no idea what the terrain or conditions would be like, etc., so he thought it was too hard - not the biking, just the process of going out in the hills as there was more prep and consideration needed.
He now has a 14 year old son who is heavily into mountain biking and he is now contacting mates to find out what there is to ride locally as his son wants to go do some hills locally. He has now found a reason to make what he considered 'hard' before (the unknown of natural stuff) a bit easier as he wants to encourage his kid and keep them biking - but without his son, he'd still be doing his Glentress runs weekly...
I suspect Parkrun runners have a chunk of them that have a similar idea - doing it on their own is too hard as they want some company, want to follow a route they don't have to think about, etc. Having this organised thing to participate in has enabled them to get out and run and enjoy themselves.
Maybe englandshire do it different
Nah, of all the parkruns I've ever been to, it's turn up, run, go home...maybe some polite clapping and encouragement from marshals or friends and family along for the fun.
How do you propose to stop runners using their local park?
I don't. It would work on goodwill.
it would require a whole new bureaucracy
It'd require the organisers managing a list, which I expect they'd be prepared to do. Hardly the most onerous of the adaptations we've had to collectively make.
I have been concerned about the risk myself and wasn’t sure if I would have returned straight away.
Ultimately, people need to make a call on their own risks level, both at parkrun and in life in general.
All the research that has been done that suggests that it is safe and the risk of transmission is tiny. This combined with the government's guidance on organised sport suggests that there are no real reasons for it not to go ahead. Yes, some people may decide not to attend, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't go ahead for others,
I'm probably lumping parkrun in unfairly with all the new 'bootcamp' things springing up then, and the new thing of large groups of lads exercising together in the park or at the gym, but not actually exercising. Just hogging the equipment standing around kind of slow-dancing on the spot, taking photos of each other for Instagram.
It’d require the organisers managing a list, which I expect they’d be prepared to do. Hardly the most onerous of the adaptations we’ve had to collectively make.
And how would that work with an event that has no sign on ?
Pay to use the park? High Viz/music/smashing it? Eh? Never seen that at any of the numerous parkruns I've done.
If we can have 50 folk in a church, there's no reason to not have parkrun.
It’d require the organisers managing a list, which I expect they’d be prepared to do. Hardly the most onerous of the adaptations we’ve had to collectively make.
And how would you stop those not on the list from running anyway? Sounds incredibly onerous.
It’d require the organisers managing a list, which I expect they’d be prepared to do. Hardly the most onerous of the adaptations we’ve had to collectively make.
Wouldn't work without large changes to the way parkrun currently operates. It'd require people to register in advance and there also to be a register of some kind on arrival. The first may be doable, the second would involve huge amounts of extra time from volunteers and resources, and would also likely cause gathering of people whilst they wait to check-in.
Not going to happen I'm afraid.
And how would you stop those not on the list from running anyway? Sounds incredibly onerous.
Easy. Make running on your own without membership of an organisation, a hi-viz tabard, high-power obnoxious headtorch, insurance and road- tax a crime.
And how would you stop those not on the list from running anyway?
As above, I wouldn't.
Do it on trust. No sign on required.
Yes, a few extra might turn up but I'm confident you'd dissuade enough to keep numbers sensible.
It’d require the organisers managing a list, which I expect they’d be prepared to do. Hardly the most onerous of the adaptations we’ve had to collectively make.
It'd require a fundamental change to the ethos and model on which it operates, and a significant resource and time commitment from volunteers. All for something which isn't actually necessary.
All they would have to do is set up a web-based registration like basically every other run in the UK already does with no problem, and only publish results for those on this list. Sure a handful of bandits might turn up, but not many. After all, they aren't turning up and running now, and only a small proportion ever come without barcode, mostly by accident, so clearly the official results list is a large part of it for most participants. Plus, they are people who would have been explicitly asked not to attend - do you really think *most* parkrunners are so selfish that they would deliberately flout such a request?
Parkrun HQ have had a year to think this through and it's a shame they aren't prepared to even try to put on the 200+ parkruns that already have permission, with such a modest change to their procedures. They bleat on about how vitally important their events are to the mental and physical health of the nation, but stamp their feet and have a tantrum rather than do what they can to put the events back on. You can't fix stupid...
The beauty of parkrun is that it doesn't have any of that shite.
Turn up, be sociable (a struggle for some on here, granted), run, smile, go for cake, then home.
They bleat on about how vitally important their events are to the mental and physical health of the nation, but stamp their feet and have a tantrum rather than do what they can to put the events back on. You can’t fix stupid…
We don't know how demanding the requirements really are - for all we know, Parkrun is being asked to police the numbers at their events.
My dad has a similar attitude as you towards volunteer-run events - he can't understand why volunteers who do things for the love of the event itself, don't want to deal with more paperwork, legislation, stress, and the broader fear of Covid itself. This is despite he himself actually refusing to do some Covid risk assesments he was asked to do as a volunteer at a local community centre.
twrch, you misunderstand, I’m not suggesting this is anything to do with gaining landowner permission, it’s to enable parkrun to put on the 200+ events they already have permission for. They say the only reason for not putting them on is that they think they may be overwhelmed by numbers. They’d rather not put them on than limit numbers...
Of course they are worried about too many people - loads of people want to show up (and who are also probably not so worried about Covid), but there would be no way to keep everyone distanced in line with regulations, and the pictures in the paper the next day would look terrible. TBH it just sounds stressful, even if there was an easy and cheap way to limit numbers.
They're probably waiting for social distancing requirements to be dropped.
Turn up, be sociable (a struggle for some on here, granted), run, smile, go for cake, then home.
Agreed, there are some negative f***ers on this site.
parkrun encourages people of all ages, shapes, sizes, abilities etc. to get together on a Saturday for some much needed fresh air and exercise. They even have a tail walker so no participant finishes last. On the 3 I got to (Pennington Flash, Sutton Manor, and (rarely) Warrington Victoria) you see people participating who would otherwise probably not feel confident to get out and run solo. Great that some of you prefer to go under your own steam and shun organised events and trail centres, GO YOU! However some people need that little extra push and as far as I am concerned parkrun provides just that. There is absolutely nothing negative about parkrun and the sooner it is back, the better.
My dad has a similar attitude as you towards volunteer-run events – he can’t understand why volunteers who do things for the love of the event itself, don’t want to deal with more paperwork, legislation, stress, and the broader fear of Covid itself.
I volunteer for junior Parkrun. At the moment admin amounts to passing a scanner over the runners' barcodes. It's incredibly simple.
I think parkrun is great and it's a real shame that they aren't prepared to put on the 200+ events where they have permission.
Just think how much it would help persuade any foot-draggers amongst the landowners, if there were already events running successfully up and down the country. If parkrun HQ could have got their act together, they could have been running events from at least this weekend, possibly sooner.
Instead we get tantrums and incitement of internet pile-ons. It's a really unedifying spectacle. You'd think they might have learnt something from last October's debacle, but no, they are parkrun and they are special(ly stupid).
is that all that is required to run a Parkrun currently?
You only need to take a barcode if you want your time recorded – you can turn up without one and run but you are asked not to go down the finishing tunnel and take a token as that will screw up the timings.
they are parkrun and they are special(ly stupid).
That is an incredibly unfair and unjust thing to say. Landowners of too many sites are not willing to give permission and parkrun aren't keen on taking the shifted blame if the knock-on is that events that do go ahead are massively over-subscribed and unsafe (for whatever reason, not just COVID). For example, my local run (Harrogate Stray) has two borders that back directly onto busy roads and already some people end up on running on them (despite being asked not to). If it went ahead but others in the area didn't and we had 500 runners rather than the usual 250-ish, then the risk of more people going onto roads becomes amplified.
As I said just up-thread, any simple pre-reg system would knock all those worries on the head. They just aren't prepared to try...
"It isn't parkrun"
Well, what we have currently isn't parkrun, in spades.
As I said just up-thread, any simple pre-reg system would knock all those worries on the head. They just aren’t prepared to try…
Because it's not simple and it's not necessary.
As I said just up-thread, any simple pre-reg system would knock all those worries on the head. They just aren’t prepared to try…
Who checks the pre-registered runners? Who would turn away runners without a pre-reg? What happens when someone refuses to leave the area because they don't have a pre-reg? It just isn't workable IMO.
I should clarify - by "run", I meant "organise". I'm sure there's a lot more to it, especially now, than scanning barcodes.
My point is - with the current state of public perception, and a media on the look out for juicy headlines, I can understand why a volunteer-run organisation, dedicated to literally bringing people physically together to run, does not want to stick their neck out and organise events. Especially as there will be all sorts of extra requirements for the organisers. Saying that they are "simple" does not make it so.
If it's so easy, step up to the plate and organise something yourself.
Apparently, 250 of 589 Parkrun venues have given permission to re-start, i.e. without any kind of pre-registration system. Are the advocates of such a system saying that these 250 venues have got it wrong?
I think parkrun is great and it’s a real shame that they aren’t prepared to put on the 200+ events where they have permission.
So, in my area there are 3 parkruns within 4 miles. One gets permission, the others don't. The one that is open is over attended. I think that the approach they are taking is sensible given the circumstances.
they are parkrun and they are special(ly stupid)
Pot / kettle.
As I said just up-thread, any simple pre-reg system would knock all those worries on the head. They just aren’t prepared to try…
Increasing cost and complexity and not guaranteed to stop people attending.
Apparently, 250 of 589 Parkrun venues have given permission to re-start, i.e. without any kind of pre-registration system
Do we know for sure that Parkrun has been given permission (at those venues) to re-start with no further Covid measures needed? I can't believe that to be true.
Also, sad to see the state of Wales - no sign of being able to re-start at all.
No I'm saying that parkrun has got it wrong by refusing to start up at those venues where it has permission.
No need to turn away unregistered runners, just don't publish results for them. Since parkrunners only turn up for the published results (they aren't running now, and many of them whine when they forget their barcodes and get left off) and the vast majority of parkrunners aren't completely antisocial gits, I'm confident the vast majority won't turn up to sabotage an event where they are asked to stay away.
It's not even clear that a large majority of parkrunners are keen to return at the soonest possible opportunity. It's possible, but far from certain. Parkrun HQ hasn't bothered to ask them, instead preferring questionnaires over such matters as "who do you trust more for information on covid - the govt or parkrun?"
That's great, but whose fault would it be for organising an event where an "illegal" number of people showed up with no control? I'm not sure Parkrun would be able to absolve responsibility by saying "well, they shouldn't be here".
No I’m saying that parkrun has got it wrong by refusing to start up at those venues where it has permission.
Ah, I see we have a Schrodinger critique: Parkrun is simultaneously being over-cautious and not cautious enough.
Parkrun has developed a framework for re-starting, with appropriate CV19 measures. That framework has been approved by the relevant national bodies and the government. So it seems to me that they've already jumped through all the relevant hoops any reasonable person could expect of them.
The alternative view is they are managing the obvious risk better than our government has handled potential risk....
Just look at the mugs desperate to go on holiday knowing full well the risks of having to quarantine at great cost claiming it's ok cause the gov say it's ok...that's your folk that turn up to a parkrun without registering. Because you have never had to register for parkrun..
People will be people
ransos, you could try dealing with what I said rather than making up "clever" evasions.
twrch, once again for the hard of reading, the only reason *parkrun* have given for not starting up these events is that *parkrun* is concerned about their own volunteers being overwhelmed. Nothing related to landowner demands. These landowners have already given permission. Parkrun could even run untimed events to start with. The idea that thousands would turn up for a mass jog round the park at the same time, when asked to stay away, and with no official recognition or listing in results, is pretty far-fetched.
I think it's you who is not understanding Parkrun's situation. They have permission to operate, (I assume) with some level of Covid measures required, at a limited number of venues. That's already an extra burden on event organisers and volunteers. If one of the tasks is "make sure everyone stays 1m apart", it's a completely legitimate concern that volunteers might be overwhelmed in that task if there are 1/3rd the usual number of Parkrun events, along with anywhere near the usual level of demand (which, for my local one, was already way bigger than the space really allowed).
ransos, you could try dealing with what I said rather than making up “clever” evasions.
It's pretty difficult to deal with someone who can't even grasp the precautionary principle.
it’s a completely legitimate concern that volunteers might be overwhelmed in that task if there are 1/3rd the usual number of Parkrun events, along with anywhere near the usual level of demand (which, for my local one, was already way bigger than the space really allowed).
Well, quite. My local Parkrun used to attract 500+ people on a good day, and that's with all the neighbouring events operating. I think their stated target of 80% or more events operating is proportionate and sensible.
I suppose thecaptain is assuming people won't show up. For one - I'm sure that people who hear that Parkrun is back on, mostly won't bother scouring the internet for the official source and check that they are allowed to go. For two - I'm desperate to do any kind of social events again, and I know I'm not the only one.
I volunteer for junior Parkrun. At the moment admin amounts to passing a scanner over the runners’ barcodes. It’s incredibly simple.
@ransos – is that all that is required to run a Parkrun currently?
No its not, far from it. My wife volunteers as a run director for the local junior event. There is way more to it than that. The number of marshalls required has gone up so the first headache is filling all those spots. No marshalls, no run. Then there is sorting the kit out, washing all the marshalls bibs, posting details to the facebook group. Sorting and sanitising the finish tokens. The on duty RD has is at the venue a lot earlier to walk the whole course and setup the signs/finish funnel. There is the poo picking (our event finished on grass), dealing with complaints (normally dog walkers) and the ever present forgotten barcode discussion. The results processing seems to have got easier now that the scanners and stop watches are not is use (replaced by app on volunteer phones).
I'm sure there are other bits I've missed and the RD's haven't had to deal with the covid framework to the same extent as the event directors. Yes its not rocket science but the above was a very simplistic representation. For the bigger events it must be a huge task.
The only way to do it is to reopen them all at the same time, to stop the few getting swamped, as others have said. That just needs national direction, and, of course, willing volunteers locally.
I don’t. It would work on goodwill.
Like Boris's common sense?
Thanks - exactly as I thought. Organising and volunteering was already a time and effort commitment before Covid, it's now a much bigger hassle with Covid requirements, and you have to wade through paperwork, government regulations, and people unwilling to take risks the entire way. And people like my dad and thecaptain can't wrap their heads around why people don't want to do it now, and somehow expect it to all just get worked out for them.
Yes its not rocket science but the above was a very simplistic representation.
I was describing what I have to do as a volunteer marshal. I made no comment about race directors and I'm aware that they have far more to organise.
Anyway, my wife is volunteering at junior Parkrun on Sunday so it will be interesting to see what changes there are. My understanding is that the runners still just need to bring a barcode so it seems to be fairly simple from their POV.
Do we know for sure that Parkrun has been given permission (at those venues) to re-start with no further Covid measures needed? I can’t believe that to be true.
It is the case, so get believing. parkrun (again, small p, 1 word...) HQ issued guidance on Covid along with a few small changes to how barcodes are scanned and that is it. On that basis, 250 landowners have given the nod, and I believe more will come out shortly.
It’s not even clear that a large majority of parkrunners are keen to return at the soonest possible opportunity.
Again, this is incorrect.They surveyed a large number of participants, both as runners and volunteers and found the overriding majority were keen for a return and would participate.
Serious @thecaptain, please ask me any question you want on the comeback and I'll give you an answer. I'm a Run Director (in charge of the event on the day) at our local junior event and the Event Director (in charge of the event as a whole) at our local 5k event and have been involved in the planned come back for months. So far, it seems you don't understand how the events work, or more importantly, why people attend.
Anyway, my wife is volunteering at junior Parkrun on Sunday so it will be interesting to see what changes there are. My understanding is that the runners still just need to bring a barcode so it seems to be fairly simple from their POV.
The changes to Juniors are very small. Hand sanitiser is available, the timing and scanning is being done by phone app and all hi-viz and tokens are washed after each event. And that's about it.
The changes to Juniors are very small. Hand sanitiser is available, the timing and scanning is being done by phone app and all hi-viz and tokens are washed after each event. And that’s about it.
Great. And thanks for your work to bring your event back.
Meanwhile, here in Wales, we do things a little differently, and will be sitting on our asses for a while longer.
Lunge - thank you for organising those events. They worked perfectly well in the past, and hopefully you'll be back to that model in short order.
It is astonishing how some people are so negative, and so keen to complicate simple things
so keen to complicate simple things
I'm 110% with you there. I despair at our "new normal", where everything apparently needs an app and an account. One of my lockdown projects was giving up my smartphone, so we'll see what kind of life I end up living.
lunge, if you had a simple web form pre-registration limited to 200 (or 500, or whatever you feel is safe for your location), and asked that no others attended (and didn't publish results from any unregistered runners), then what problems do you think you would face with putting on your parkrun on the 5th?
I don't think it is unreasonable to claim that a registration system could have been designed and built in the past year. Let's face it, every other running event, from tiny to vast, operates a system along these lines. The reason parkrun isn't doing it, is not that it would be too difficult for them. Rather, it is that they would prefer not to have parkrun at all, than to make this very modest and temporary change to how they operate.
I don’t think it is unreasonable
I do. Writing and deploying a registration system to be used at hundreds of different events is a large technical undertaking, and unlikely to be completed to any kind of quality for free. Apart from that, you'd have to pay to host it somewhere.
Other events charge money for a reason.
You are really quite demanding on the volunteers who give their time and effort to organise nice things for you.
I am very curious to know the answer to your first question though.
twrch, you really don't think it would be technically feasible to introduce a registration system within a year? What sort of time scale would you expect for such a...demanding task?
Let's say we did have a registration system. What's the first thing a council or other land owner would ask? "Great, 300 people have registered, who/how do we check who's actually attending?". "we don't, we trusting people not to show up", "oh really, what happens if they do turn up? Will you have a record", "no, as they won't have their barcode scanned so we'll have no want of knowing they attended", "right..."
You can have a register if you check it, if you check it you will have more gathering, more time at the venue and more faff, neither of which the land owners or parkrun want. You'll also need another huge amount of volunteer time.
This is all ignoring the fact that all research by both parkrun and the government suggests it's not necessary anyway.
Having been a volunteer before, getting 300+ people to do something simple like not change position in the finishing funnel is hard enough work, I did a lot of shouting to co-ordinate that. Getting everyone there tracked and traced as well would be a stretch.
I can't wait for it to re-start, but I fully support the delay in getting it done till enough as open to not overload a single event.
What sort of time scale would you expect for such a…demanding task?
thecaptain - it depends. How many people can I employ to do the task? If you were using volunteers in their spare time, it would be practically impossible to co-ordinate the number of people needed to get the work done.
If you work in the business of developing online applications, I'm sure you'll be delighted at the opportunity to roll one out nationwide for free. If not, then you have no idea what you're asking for.