Popular parkruns in Armley and Bramley parks have today been given the go ahead to return after lockdown by the organisation’s national body.
The 5k runs, which are held in Armley Park and Bramley Park respectively, were due to return on Saturday 5 June after Leeds City Council gave the go-ahead for all parkruns to re-start after lockdown.
But, as reported by WLD last month, their return was delayed by national organisation parkrun UK who required a significant number of landowners to give permission for the weekly runs to return to avoid overcrowding at the free 5k event if only a limited number of venues were available.
In a statement this afternoon, parkrun UK confirmed parkrun’s return at all venues from on 26 June, subject to any future government restrictions. The statement said:
“We are delighted to announce that more than 500 events have full landowner permission to return, which means we now have enough permissions to confirm a restart date for 5k parkrun in England on Saturday 26 June.
“This is subject to the Government communication on Monday 14 June, after which we will make a further statement confirming our position.
“There is now a strong consensus from landowners and public health officials, right across the country, that the return of parkrun – a free-to-access public health initiative – is vital as we look to improve our physical and mental health in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to the hundreds of landowners, directors of public health, the UK Government, parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, the Local Government Association, Sport England, mayors, press and media, public figures, parkrun volunteers, and the wider parkrun community for their incredible efforts during what has undoubtedly been a difficult time.”
More details about Armley parkrun can be found here and Bramley parkrun here. Other parkruns in Leeds include Woodhouse Moor, Wetherby, Rothwell, Temple Newsam, Roundhay, Cross Flatts Park, Middleton Park and Potternewton Park.