National Post

Petition aims to limit size of running clubs in Toronto

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TORONTO • Nearly 600 people have signed a petition calling on size limits for Toronto-based running clubs.

Complaints about the clubs running on crowded sidewalks and busy areas of the city, including the Eaton Centre, Canada’s busiest shopping mall, have grown louder on social media in recent weeks.

The petition was initiated by “Zulf A,” who has also complained about the clubs on her Tiktok account. One of those videos, where Zulf calls the runners “the scariest gang in Toronto,” has been viewed nearly three million times.

“Within a matter of seconds, a running club turns the corner and there’s 50-plus people,” she says in the video, recalling an encounter while on a walk with her sister. “Half of them are on the sidewalk, half of them are on the street, and there’s literally nowhere for us to go.”

In her petition, Zulf said she has been “personally victimized by large running groups not once, but twice in the past year. “

“These incidents were not isolated to me alone. There are numerous other pedestrian­s who have experience­d similar situations — peaceful walks interrupte­d by large groups of runners that show little regard for others sharing the sidewalk,” the petition reads.

Signatorie­s to the petition have also alleged that running clubs have been “entitled” and “aggressive” in their behaviour, and “trampled” on their dogs.

“Have been run into many times by aggressive groups. They should be restricted to under 20 people and have spacing requiremen­ts requiring single file groups only,” reads one comment.

While some social media users have mocked the complaints and denied the allegation­s, other running groups have used the opportunit­y to remind members of the “importance of safety and respect for others.”

“It is important to follow the general etiquette of keeping to the right, allowing room for others to pass, running single file when required, and slowing down in high traffic areas in addition to following traffic signs and signals. Let’s continue to be courteous and highlight all the positivity that the running community brings,” reads a recent Instagram post from the women’s running club Chix Run The 6ix.

Zulf, who spoke with CTV News Toronto this week, and asked that her last name be withheld, said that since launching the petition in December she has received “so many” messages from people who claim to have had similar encounters.

Identifyin­g himself as a run club leader, Toronto-based running coach Jamie Corrales commented on Zulf’s video, writing “It’s a certain run club but we are all guilty of this. We are trying to work on this.”

The City of Toronto does not require permits for the events but Russell Baker, Toronto’s manager of media relations and issues management, reminded groups “to be considerat­e and mindful of those they share public spaces with during their activity.”

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