Public response to Conwy Parkrun's statement about recent behind the scenes activity.

Response to Conwy Parkrun's potentially controversial statement about the latest behind the scenes activities...

Report by Don Hale. 

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Following the statement issued by Conwy parkrun officials on Thursday afternoon, it would now seem that their comments have attracted widespread controversy, confusion and much anger, with many volunteers and regular runners and supporters, demanding to air their personal views in response. This feature contains some varied reactions etc:

 

*I have therefore included a link and a copy of the parkrun statement from 29/5/25 which appeared on my blog, and on the Conwy Parkrun’s Facebook page from yesterday. And in addition, I have also included – in the interests of fairness and accountability – the latest updated statement from Conwy parkrun officials, which seems to have attracted further controversy and debate, together with the pubic reaction:

 

*This is a link to the original statement on my blog from Conwy Parkrun dated Thursday 29/5/25:

Don Hale Blog: Statement from Conwy Parkrun about work behind the... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/statement-from-conwy-parkrun-about-work.html?spref=tw

 

UPDATED STATEMENT FROM CONWY PARKRUN 30/5/25 ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE.

 

It has been fantastic to see, from our Facebook page, the Conwy parkrun community enjoying their Saturday mornings at other parkruns, far and wide – but it would be even better to have everyone back in Conwy. 

We wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the progress we are making.

 

As you know, the work on the path between the RSPB nature reserve and the railway bridge forced us to pause our parkrun while the path was resurfaced. It’s great to see that this work has been completed on time, and it does look fantastic. Unfortunately, at the same time that this work began, we were made aware of concerns from parkrun HQ regarding the adequacy and safety of our car parking. 

This has meant we must address these concerns before we are allowed to restart.

 

The RSPB car park has been identified as being too small for an event that continues to grow in popularity year on year. Our current practices – such as signposting when the car park is full and redirecting people to Tesco from the roundabout – are not considered safe, as we are directing traffic on a trunk road without any training or appropriate equipment.

 

We have therefore been tasked with looking at alternative solutions to provide a course that uses as much of the current route as possible, but with safe parking arrangements. A solution that we, as an event team, are happy with has been submitted to parkrun HQ, and we are now awaiting their comments and, ultimately, their authorisation to allow us to restart. 

We have been assured that the parkrun HQ team is keen for Conwy to get back up and running as soon as possible, so we hope to have an update we can share in the next few weeks.

 

You can be assured that we want to get restarted as much as you do, and we are working as hard as we can to make it happen. Thank you so much for your patience and ongoing support.

– The Conwy parkrun event team

 

THESE ARE THE LATEST COMMENTS IN RESPONSE TO CONWY PARKRUN:

 

Reply from John Hatton:

A very SAD day after 10 years of trouble-free Conwy Parkruns and we are still kept in the dark on what is happening. Also 10 years of 100% support from RSPB, with use of their car park, toilets and cafe. It helped to create a good Parkrun community. It will never be the same.

 

Response from Martin Green:

So, something that has worked smoothly for years is now suddenly unworkable!

 

Here’s my reply to what’s going on, I saw the condescending email that HQ sent to John Hatton, it’s made me really angry. 

 

As always, it’s the bureaucrats in suits thinking they know best. Conwy parkrun, thanks to the volunteers runs like clockwork every week. They are the ones who stand in all weathers for zero recompense and often little thanks. 

 

I am often one of the latecomers and arrive once the car park is full. Not once have I been directed anywhere there is simply a volunteer holding a “car park full” sign, being an adult and having passed a pretty intense driving test I am able to drive past on my own intuition and find somewhere else to park. It’s really not rocket science. 

 

As usual it’s someone who thinks they know best making decisions from afar for the detriment of the event. I have been to numerous parkruns around the country which have way less parking if any, does that mean they have to change too or is this just a convenient time to make these changes to us. 

 

The Senedd have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds of our money on active travel routes which are now deemed unsafe (Tesco/Cineworld to the start/finish of Conwy parkrun) this decision from Parkrun is insinuating that it is not safe which in all honesty baffles me. These things aren’t just plucked from the sky there are many risk assessments carried out so it is clearly as safe as can be.

 

Common sense won’t prevail it’s common knowledge how Parkrun HQ operate, it’s their way or the highway. It’s almost petulant the way they say it’s our ball if you don’t play to our rules we’re taking it home. 

 

I hope the hardworking ED’s and RD’s are able to navigate their way through these demands, and we can get back to as close to normal as possible. 

 

Once again thanks to all those that give up their time for free and are doing their very best to get things going again.

 

Reply from Sandy Johnson: 

Noting the French ban on parkruns, in the papers today, due to " health and safety" issues, you wonder whether we dare step outside the front door, these days, for fear of accident or litigation!

 

Reply from Simon Bonfield:

All I can say is I feel really sorry for a great bunch of volunteers, who not only give up their time every Saturday, but are now having to use yet more of their own time trying to navigate the red tape from HQ. Good luck guys and I really hope you get it going again. In the meantime, there is a cowbell wielding loon ready to welcome you at Nova Prestatyn until you get back on your feet.

 

Reply from Rob Stewart:

Are park run HQ saying drivers are unable to drive safely to Tesco or runners and incapable of walking back from Tesco along the cycle route that all this work has been about! Safe enough for cyclists!

 

Unknown:

Thanks Conwy parkrun for doing all you can to try and get it back up and running!

 

Reply from Rhea Eris:

I hope you get to continue soon. Visiting the junior parkrun team last year was such a pleasure and it seems yourselves are just as passionate. Thank you.

 

Reply from Kay Pitt:

It would be great for the environment and help the parking situation if people could continue to car share like they have for visiting other park runs. Thanks for all your efforts to restart!

 

Reply from Elwyn Andrew:

Thanks for everything you’re doing to bring back such a well-loved local event despite all the various challenges. Really appreciate all your efforts

 

Reply from David Hughes:

Can we not ask to use Lidl car park and use the underpass to the start? Using the newly laid path to the start some use the RSPB, and some use the Lidl car park?

 

Reply from Jan Sheel:

We were in Deganwy last week and missed not doing your run. Hopefully we'll be over later in the year.

 

Reply from Harri Jackson:

Everyone will use the RSPB car park anyway. What a joke.

 

Reply from Shaun Mohan:

Good luck to you all, ran the route last year when travelling from Chester. Lovely route.

 

Reply from Ten Cn:

Bloody HQ. The suits at head office are out of touch with the runners/walkers/volunteers/spectators on the ground.

 

Reply from Andrew Brazier:

What information is head office using to make this decision? On paper it may look like the roundabout is high hazard, but most traffic leaving the A55 is heading towards Tesco, and so the lane to the car park is very quiet. We must be able to report that it has never caused any issues.