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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

parkrun defending their position

758 replies

Funtime2 · 26/04/2026 11:52

I used to be a parkrunner and do not understand how parkrun can defend their position of allowing trans identfying males into the female category.

I read that 280 published race winners in the female category are actually men identifying as women. How is this fair to women? Some women don’t care about this but some women do, just as some men take it as a race and care about the rankings and some men don’t

The other option of course is they could stop the timing, stop recording winners and records?

AIBU to genuinely not understand why parkrun claim not to be a race when they time the runners, publish times by category, rank times and runners, and have record holders by category.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
OneTimeThingToday · 27/04/2026 21:38

So acvording to some people, it would be fine if Sebastian Sawe registered as a 12yo girl and completely smashed all the recirds, as its just a bit as fun and anyone can say they are who they want to be?

Flossette · 27/04/2026 21:41

Parkrun did something a few years ago about this like wiping all records and the men in my running club were up in arms. ‘How could parkrun do this???? What the HELL were they thinking???’ Bloody women, having a whinge because they got beaten by a man in a wig????’ While paying no heed to the female clubmates that have no reliably valid records to refer to themselves. It was so eye opening how selfish some blokes are. Don’t give a shit about men taking things from women but when they’re affected the shit hits the fan!

Catiette · 27/04/2026 21:42

Flossette · 27/04/2026 21:36

Be kind, let the men take all of your sporting achievements.
Be kind, let the men take jobs.
Be kind, let the man into your changing room and watch you undress.
Be kind, let the men into your domestic abuse refuge.
Be kind, let the man have sex with you.
Be kind, let the man strangle you.

Where does being kind to men end? When do women get to say no? Parkrun may just be a very small thing, but women should have the right to say no. Parkrun should pick a Saturday to question each and every real women that finishes as to whether transwomen should be in the female category and respect their views. Women shouldn’t always have to give up their rights to men, and it’s an exceedingly dangerous message to tell our daughter that they should.

That's why I find the accusations of "hate" and "tantrums" pretty despicable (at least as long as they're not directed at actual evidence of this... which they're so often not).

I can see there's a debate to be had here, even if I come down very strongly indeed on one side of it.

But those posters who deny even this, and seek to silence other voices in this way?

Well, it's genuinely what first convinced me I'm on the sex-based rights "side" (I mean, I'd be on the trans rights side, too, if there weren't a conflict and I'd not felt forced to choose 😔).

TreacleMoon2 · 27/04/2026 21:43

I appreciate I'm in the minority, but I care where I come in relation to my own previous times. I run to try and beat my previous times where I can. But ultimately I run for my own fitness, my own mental health and that I much prefer running with other people than on my own.

It's always different as it depends where you run, the conditions on the day (wind/rain/ice etc.) and how many other people are running at the same parkrun as you. I'm sorry but I don't care about my overall race position.

This is a deeply emotive subject, but I don't want to see parkrun implode over it. I don't know what the solution is that works for everyone. I genuinely don't think there is one.

Flossette · 27/04/2026 21:53

TreacleMoon2 · 27/04/2026 21:43

I appreciate I'm in the minority, but I care where I come in relation to my own previous times. I run to try and beat my previous times where I can. But ultimately I run for my own fitness, my own mental health and that I much prefer running with other people than on my own.

It's always different as it depends where you run, the conditions on the day (wind/rain/ice etc.) and how many other people are running at the same parkrun as you. I'm sorry but I don't care about my overall race position.

This is a deeply emotive subject, but I don't want to see parkrun implode over it. I don't know what the solution is that works for everyone. I genuinely don't think there is one.

What is wrong with trans identifying men picking male, or other, or prefer not to say? What?

I think the best thing would be for everyone to be dumped into a new ‘not stated’ category and you could pick to declare yourself non-competitive or competitive but if you choose competitive you have to be honest.

Funtime2 · 27/04/2026 22:09

TreacleMoon2 · 27/04/2026 21:43

I appreciate I'm in the minority, but I care where I come in relation to my own previous times. I run to try and beat my previous times where I can. But ultimately I run for my own fitness, my own mental health and that I much prefer running with other people than on my own.

It's always different as it depends where you run, the conditions on the day (wind/rain/ice etc.) and how many other people are running at the same parkrun as you. I'm sorry but I don't care about my overall race position.

This is a deeply emotive subject, but I don't want to see parkrun implode over it. I don't know what the solution is that works for everyone. I genuinely don't think there is one.

why can’t men who identify in any way other than being a man just run as they choose, wear what they like and be true to their identity while they run but be kind to women because they know they skew the data because it’s a biological category,

OP posts:
Catiette · 27/04/2026 22:34

TreacleMoon2 · 27/04/2026 21:43

I appreciate I'm in the minority, but I care where I come in relation to my own previous times. I run to try and beat my previous times where I can. But ultimately I run for my own fitness, my own mental health and that I much prefer running with other people than on my own.

It's always different as it depends where you run, the conditions on the day (wind/rain/ice etc.) and how many other people are running at the same parkrun as you. I'm sorry but I don't care about my overall race position.

This is a deeply emotive subject, but I don't want to see parkrun implode over it. I don't know what the solution is that works for everyone. I genuinely don't think there is one.

When battling with the balancing of rights conundrum and the fact that rights are NOT a pie (duh), and that one side DOES have to give way to some degree, the way I think of it is sometimes like this...

If transwomen are accepted as women or female through their inclusion in any or all of the accommodations made for women due to our femaleness... women disappear. Our identity's degraded (downgraded!) to the point that we're left with no universal recognition of what we are / unique accommodations / unambiguous language to describe or name ourselves or our needs.

Whereas if transwomen are treated as a distinct class, we can recognise their identity and address their needs. They retain what women lose: an identity and a name of their own - and recognisable needs that they can name and advocate for.

Only one of these approaches gives both groups recognition.

Yes, it demands a compromise. But a compromise that still recognises trans women as what they are - what they actually call themselves - is a far cry from demanding such total self-sacrifice from women that we're subsumed into a homogenous mass of self-identification (with all that entails for a demographic still so under-represented, under-researched and under-protected - and dying in their millions because of this - globally).

It's not easy - of course, the very definition of trans women is wants-to-be-seen-as-woman.

But when you consider the implications of accepting this and the extraordinary numbers impacted as women cease to be a recognisable, protected political class (my other approach is a reluctantly utilitarian one)... it does honestly feel like something of a zero-sum game to me.

The other thing is...

The "transwomen are women" approach has been tried and isn't working. We can see it in the backlash trans individuals are now enduring, and the gradual loss of earlier "wins". All the time that supporters of this ideology were fighting their losing battle for trans inclusion in the class of "woman" - and as long as they continue to do so - precious time, money and effort is being lost (otherwise willing allies - me! - are being lost!) which could be far better expended in seeking more realistic, long-term solutions: third/fourth spaces for loos / adapting previously male categories to be "open" in sports etc.

And this would also lead to wider acceptance, better understanding and, frankly, less volatility and resentment all round.

IAmBeaIDrinkTea · 27/04/2026 23:16

JHound · 27/04/2026 17:00

Why are you assuming all of that 51% care what category trans people run under at Park Run?

Exactly

IAmBeaIDrinkTea · 27/04/2026 23:21

Bumb13B33 · 27/04/2026 16:13

Parkrun is officially a free, weekly, 5k timed run, not a competition. While results are timed and recorded, the focus is on community, participation, and individual health, not winning. Participants are encouraged to go at their own pace, making it inclusive for all abilities rather than a competitive race.

the focus is on community, participation, and individual health, not winning

Yes, and that's why I like it so much.
Parkrun themselves have said that that's what it's about and it's their organisation, their run, so that's all that matters.

FairCat · Yesterday 01:17

The organisers of Parkrun have a perfect right to set the rules and the rules don't change just because some fantasists want to cosplay elite runners with Vangelis on loop in their Air pods.

The notion of 'records' is laughable, the courses vary in length, may be baked hard one week and a quagmire the next. Until it was stopped in 2022 some runners were dragged around by large dogs. Did any Olympians bleat about that?

Parkrun is a much loved and highly successful public health project, not a competitive sport and the ego trippers that get off on barging past mums with pushchairs and elderly runners, should just do one. The country is full of clubs where they'd be welcome to indulge their athletic prowess while not spoiling Parkrun for the many that enjoy it for what it was made for.

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:01

SpringAndSunshineIsHere · 27/04/2026 12:53

Why can’t they just add a trans category?

Because transwomen don't want it. They say it 'others' them. They won't enter. They tried a trans/open category in swimming, none of the trans entered. They want validation as women. Only being in the womens category gives them that validation. The last thing on earth they want is a 'trans category'.

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:05

Bumb13B33 · 27/04/2026 07:36

How can anybody be cheating when it isn’t a competition which is the whole reason many do it.

But-but-but 'It's NoT a ComPeTitiOn!' Bs it ain't. If it has entry categories and publicly listed timings and placings, it is a competition! People need to stop lying about it. It's a competition and we all know it!

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:08

IAmBeaIDrinkTea · 27/04/2026 13:07

Do you have your fingers in your ears and eyes closed shut?

Do you have problems computing that we don't all think the same?!

It's not about opinions. This is about a fact. It's a race, a competition. That is a fact. It's like saying we 'don't all think the same' about 2+2=4. There is no 'thinking' about it.

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:10

Bumb13B33 · 27/04/2026 16:13

Parkrun is officially a free, weekly, 5k timed run, not a competition. While results are timed and recorded, the focus is on community, participation, and individual health, not winning. Participants are encouraged to go at their own pace, making it inclusive for all abilities rather than a competitive race.

Sorry but bullshit. But-but-but 'It's NoT a ComPeTitiOn!' Bs it ain't. If it has entry categories and publicly listed timings and placings, it is a competition! People need to stop lying about it. It's a competition and lets be honest here; we all know it!

parkrun defending their position
parkrun defending their position
parkrun defending their position
ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:14

JHound · 27/04/2026 16:36

I actually don’t get why this is a big fuss. How would you even police this? When I registered for Park Run I simply did it online, ran each week and scanned my bar code after each run to get my time.

I only accessed my time to see how I compared to myself. I can see with professional races but how would Park Run even begin to ensure people only run in the appropriate sex category?

Then remove all timings and placing and categories then. You cannot have it both ways. It should be just a fun run, in fact, there should not even be a barcode to be scanned. It shouldn't even exist. People shouldn't even need to register. You only register if it's a race or competition. No registration, no barcodes, no categories, no timings or rankings.

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:18

ChipDaleRescueRangers · 27/04/2026 16:46

I dont know about other areas, but 2 local park runs are uber competitive. I gave up going as I wanted to continue the progress my fat arse was making from Couch to 5k. I gave up after 2 months as I couldn't cope with the competitive nature of parkrun locally.

The pushing and shoving, the aggressive shouts all too much.

I would start going again if they stopped publishing times and everyone just got a private time for themselves as I think that would stop a lot of the arseholes.

Yep, it's 'noT coMpeTiTivE' my arse. Everyone knows it is including those on this thread who deny it. If no timings are publicly listed then there is no incentives for pushy, shovey, shouty arseholes or males entering the women's category.

It would remove every single problem.

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:19

JHound · 27/04/2026 16:55

It should be timed. For those of us who want to see our personal progress.

They can simply not publish it though. But the timing is nice.

That's what wrist watches are for, or stop watches, or smartphones. Why can't people do anything for themselves anymore?

DeftGoldHedgehog · Yesterday 04:20

It's all run by volunteers! How the fuck do you police how people register? Stop suggesting work for other people you'll never have to do.

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:22

Bumb13B33 · 27/04/2026 19:03

It’s not a competition so nobody can cheat. If posters want to turn it into a competition they need to start their own and as for shoving women aside. 🙄

It IS a competition and you know it.

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:25

It'S NoT a RaCe! (and I believe all the bullshit parkrun writes....)

parkrun defending their position
ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:27

Bumb13B33 · 27/04/2026 20:10

Guess what- the views of a few tedious MN posters that turn up on any thread with even a whiff of a chance for anti trans rhetoric do not make something correct.

'anti-trans rhetoric'. You mean PRO WOMENS RIGHTS rhetoric. But thanks for admitting being pro-trans = anti-women.

parkrun defending their position
parkrun defending their position
ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:29

Bumb13B33 · 27/04/2026 20:15

🤣🤣🤣🤣Still in denial. Park run call the shots and have made their views clear. A little MN tantrum isn’t going to get your way.

But LEGAL ACTION will! Sharron Davies is launching legal action with the help of feminists and are going to take parkrun to court. Reminding them of their Equality Act 2010 obligations - as clarified by the Supreme Court, will. Mens rights activists really still think they are untouchable. They don't have a single clue who they're dealing with. We aren't giving up or going away. You're in denial if you think precious little parkrun aren't going to have to change or fold. Feminists aren't fucking around anymore. We mean business. And we are getting things changed.

garlictwist · Yesterday 04:29

I’ve always thought it strange that they bother with bar codes and results. If it’s genuinely meant to be non competitive and inclusive they should just let people turn up and run with no registering and not record times etc.

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:33

Bumb13B33 · 27/04/2026 20:59

Park run are under no obligation to publish data. Anybody can do it themselves.

Then they need to stop publishing data.

In fact, they shouldn't even be collecting any data at all for a 'non-competitive' race. No barcodes, no ages, no sex/gender, nothing. Nothing at all.

ThatBlackCat · Yesterday 04:36

OneTimeThingToday · 27/04/2026 21:38

So acvording to some people, it would be fine if Sebastian Sawe registered as a 12yo girl and completely smashed all the recirds, as its just a bit as fun and anyone can say they are who they want to be?

Taken to it's logical conclusion yes that's exactly what it means.

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