Popular parkrun events will soon return across Sheffield –  this is what organisers have said

Parkrun puts on 5km running events every weekend across the UK with hundreds in attendance, but the popular events have been cancelled since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was hoped that park runs would return across Sheffield and the rest of England at the end of October, but those plans were later put on hold.

Organisers have said when they hope the events will return in the UK, after the Prime Minister set out a ‘roadmap plan’ earlier this week, which aims to gradually lift lockdown restrictions.

Tom Williams, the Chief Operating Officer of Parkrun recently spoke about the return of the events on the Free Timed Weekly podcast.

He said: “Clearly, I don’t think many people would disagree, it would be inappropriate at the very beginning of April, which is only a few weeks away, for a couple of thousand people to be gathered etc, big crowds of adults would not be acceptable in just a few weeks’ time.”

“We don’t think it’d be the right thing at that point.

"We don’t think it would be appropriate to bring 5k parkrun back as part of Step One in the roadmap; Step Two comes in quite soon after that, and again, a thousand people in a park wouldn’t feel particularly right with the limitations around weddings and funerals.

“However, on May 17, when we hope Step Three will start, there’s a real step change in what people can and can’t do and part of that is outdoor events with up to 4,000 people. What we also want to see is other types of events, festivals, concerts, whatever it might be, operating at bigger numbers to make people feel more comfortable about parkrun.

“We are going back two weeks to Saturday, June 5 to give us four weeks, and it is our ambition and hope that from June 5 that parkrun will return across England.”

He added: “I’m not going to get carried away until we’re stood on the start line but there is a date. Having a date, and we know it’s not guaranteed, but having a date in the roadmap really lifts your spirits and gives you an inkling of when we might be back to normal which is what so many people want.”

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The latest announcement will come as a relief to some - who are eager to get back out and participate in the much-loved event across the city.

A spokesperson for Endcliffe ParkRun said: We welcome the roadmap announcement and are currently having conversations internally.

“A lot of work is going on behind the scenes, so unfortunately there isn’t much more information at the moment other than the date. More information will come out closer to the time.

“We are really looking forward to seeing you back at Endcliffe parkrun soon. P.s. only 14 more Saturday morning lie-ins left.”

In total, there are seven events across the city, which take place on a Saturday at 9 am. Find event locations below:

Endcliffe Park, Sheffield Castle, Graves Park, Hillsborough, Millhouses, Rother Valley, Concord Park.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.