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Original poster

Parkrun comments giving me the rage

530 replies

ChapmanFarm · 02/09/2026 22:49

If I have to read one more time 'but parkrun is just meant to be fun' or 'you are only racing against yourself and your best time' I'm going to scream.

Why does that only apply to women?

If it's just a bit of fun there is absolutely no need for trans identified men to get a time or position either. They have the option to register as another gender or to just run and not register at all.

If it's all just fun and we moaning women should shut up, why do these arguments only apply one way?

No one is saying they can't run in whatever clothing/identity they like. Just that they shouldn't be recorded as women.

But somehow this is still wrong.

I thought I'd peaked long ago but this one is giving me the absolute rage.

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Cadeaukatze · 19/09/2026 11:17

alcovecupboards · 18/09/2026 18:03

You've decided to monitor someone you don't know under the belief that they could be trans. It's unhinged. The fact that you cannot see that is yet further evidence that GC people have gone utterly mad.

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That is your opinion. And you should look into the parkrun stats group on Facebook. One of the reasons people were annoyed about the removal of the stats is because they like stats.

Anyway, the issue has moved on because she did an even more amazing time today which would be amazing for a bloke of her age, never mind a woman. So I no longer think she's trans - I just think she's running one lap instead of two. People do mind if people cheat - there was an article in Runners' World a few years ago when one of the writers deliberately cut the course and wrote about it (this was at Alice Holt parkrun in Hampshire). People were very upset.

I know they are only cheating themselves but it's still annoying.

AngelaP71 · 19/09/2026 11:39

GriseldaandMike · 19/09/2026 11:12

Do the 'oh there is nothing that can be done, its all too hard and it doesn't matter anyway' brigade really think there is absolutely no middle ground between everyone would need to be sex tested and doing nothing?

Removing 'female' course records from a known male competitor who is doing jail time for the attempted murder of a race official would be a great starting point to say to women 'we don't have the ability to check the sex and age of every runner but if we become aware of someone participating in the wrong category we will adjust the records to try and make the categories correct to the best of our knowledge'.

Asking for sex not gender and making it known that registering in the wrong category could result in records being expunged would be a really good starting point and one that would have absolutely no impact on trans participants run experience as no-one can tell how they are registered by looking at them on the start line.

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Yes, this all makes sense.

Realistically it's impossible to verify everyone's sex and age. But a clear statement about expectations would
be helpful. It shouldn't deter or disadvantage anyone from running because nobody at the event knows what category people have said they are in.

There is also a "prefer not to say" option which could be used.

Igmum · 19/09/2026 13:37

alcovecupboards · 18/09/2026 18:42

They're not expected to 'beat Parkrun' they want to change Parkrun and Parkrun isn't interested in changing for them. So they can either keep trying to destroy it - or start their own. The fact they are choosing the former makes them look batshit.

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So, to be clear, if you saw an organisation breaking the law, your solution would be to set up another parallel organisation?

I’m feeling rather relieved you’re an under-informed TRA rather than a High Court Judge.

Heggettypeg · 19/09/2026 16:38

GriseldaandMike · 19/09/2026 11:12

Do the 'oh there is nothing that can be done, its all too hard and it doesn't matter anyway' brigade really think there is absolutely no middle ground between everyone would need to be sex tested and doing nothing?

Removing 'female' course records from a known male competitor who is doing jail time for the attempted murder of a race official would be a great starting point to say to women 'we don't have the ability to check the sex and age of every runner but if we become aware of someone participating in the wrong category we will adjust the records to try and make the categories correct to the best of our knowledge'.

Asking for sex not gender and making it known that registering in the wrong category could result in records being expunged would be a really good starting point and one that would have absolutely no impact on trans participants run experience as no-one can tell how they are registered by looking at them on the start line.

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This. At least signal that you don't actually support cheats, even if you can't always stop them.

Original poster
ChapmanFarm · 19/09/2026 17:44

We are 22 pages in and despite all the 'it can't be policed' and 'we'll lose valuable features', I still haven't seen a reasonable argument as to why transwomen cannot possibly be expected to tell the truth and run as that, transwomen but not women.

They don't have to out themselves to do it, just not cheat. Why is that an unfair ask?

My eldest is approaching the age limit for junior park run. If he's there anyway he'll probably run with his siblings once he reaches 14 (he may as well have a bit of exercise and fun as we keep being told that's what park run is) but what he won't do is take a time - just like all the adults running with their kids. It's not complicated.

But thanks to the many contributors who have made me feel less like I'm going mad - and to those who have attempted to put forward the other side. I've considered the arguments but remain unconvinced.

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