Parkrun: Outdoor mass group exercise ban 'not justified'

The decision to ban mass outdoor group exercise events in Wales is unjustified and disproportionate, a UK minister has said.

Popular 5km (3.1 mile) run event Parkrun decided to cancel events in Wales after the Welsh government restricted outdoor events to 50 people.

UK government Health Minister Sajid Javid said the event had "helped so many people improve their health".

The Welsh government said the country was facing "a serious situation".

Parkrun events take place every Saturday morning at 2,000 locations in 23 countries around the world.

Mr Javid was commenting following a Parkrun blog post about the situation in the different UK nations, which stated: "The evidence remains clear that the infection risks presented by outdoor events like ours are exceptionally low and the public health benefits of remaining open are incredibly high.

"It is our intention therefore that wherever Parkrun events are legally permitted to operate they should do so."

The blog listed the situation in each of the four nations - with no restrictions in England or Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, coronavirus rules mean there are limits of 500 people at social gatherings - but with Parkrun events attracting fewer people than this limit, each is still scheduled to go ahead.

In Wales, because of the limit on social gatherings, all events have been cancelled from 1 January.

However, because children are exempt, junior parkrun for youngsters aged four to 14 will continue to take place.

Mr Javid tweeted in response: "Parkrun has helped so many people improve their health across the UK. I can't see how restricting outdoor exercise in this way is justified or proportionate."

Welsh athletics boss James Williams raised concerns about the move last week, saying: "We all know January is when people make New Year's resolutions to get physically active.

"Parkrun is the perfect place for people to go to start that journey and if they don't do it on the first of January, the likelihood is they won't do it at all over the next 12 months."

Responding to the concerns of both Welsh Athletics and Parkrun last week, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: "We are facing a very serious situation in Wales. A wave of infections caused by the new, fast-moving and very infectious omicron variant is headed our way.

"We understand the importance of exercise for people's health and wellbeing - and encourage people to keep active during this difficult time. For the time being, there is a limit of 50 people for outdoor events and activities."

No end date has been set for the new restrictions but First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he wants them in place for the shortest possible time.

Parkruns have faced a difficult time during the pandemic - they restarted in England in July after a pause of 16 months because of the pandemic, and then later in the other nations.