Minister’s alert over restart of Parkrun events

MINISTERS ARE to write to local authorities and landowners warning them that they must allow the restart of Parkrun events, Oliver Dowden has said.

The Culture Secretary said he and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick will “shortly be sending a very clear message and signal in writing” to officials that the weekly runs should proceed.

It came as shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens called on Mr Dowden to ensure local authorities and landowners “accept the nationally approved framework and allow Parkrun to start again”.

A Local Government Association (LGA) spokesperson said councils “are keen to help manage the safe return of events in their area”.

Parkrun events, which take place outdoors across the country, have had legal permission to resume since March 29 as per the Government’s step one of the road map out of lockdown.

Raising the matter during departmental questions in the Commons, Ms Stevens said Parkun “plays a major role in the physical and mental wellbeing of participants”.