Quote Originally Posted by RunningBob View Post
I've just caught up with this thread. I started and organise Bramhall parkrun which in turn encouraged the other Manchester parkruns so I'm in a position to answer some of the points raised. As a runner I also use the parkrun in the same way as Dylan and have completed over 50.
First I'd suggest that whether you feel positive or negative about parkruns just have a go at one first. You can get an impression from this video (Bramhall 9 Oct).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGqoHg8BEuQ

So, Wasdale it aint! And it isn't going to ever compete with a XC fixture or real 10k race. It is a free training race for club runners. And for many novice runners it is a way of progressing beyond one off attempts at GMR, Race For Life etc. to doing something more regular and competitive. For all it is low key running fun that doesn't take up much time.

I was certainly originally concerned that a free weekly race might detract from the efforts of local clubs. In practice though the reverse is true. Wilmslow RC and Stockport Harriers have gained about 20 members each from the event. We always promote club races and the experience so far is that numbers at Wilmslow races at least have increased with runners recruited at the parkrun. Good athletes have been brought into club running and club races including some who are returning after years out of the sport.

parkrun doesn't receive any special treatment. I just applied to the park to hold an event in the same way as anyone else and had to provide the same H&S documentation etc. The council chose not to charge for use of the park as we're not charging the runners and clearly they see the health benefits.

UKA provide the standard insurance as they do for any affiliated club race. parkrun is just treated as an affiliated club. These days the unattached £2 levy is kept by the race organiser rather than paid to UKA so the fact that we don't charge is irrelevant for UKA funding. And FWIW parkrun receives no direct public funding.

Finally, there are actually very few local 5k races. The Cheshire series (Bowdon, Dunham Massey etc.) is a sell out. Salford 5k is the exception but then again that is part of a series that is supported by public funding.
Bob - just out of interest - before Park Run, I wonder how many organised races did you do a year and since park run how many - that would be a test. I imagine that as you have completed over 50 it's had an impact on your attendance at fee paying races.