Bring back access to Australian parkrun performance data

Comments

#1008

Im upset these results are gone. I have been parkrun for years and done well over 300 parkruns. It’s not inclusive taking away these results from the the weekly runners that enjoy seeing these results. It is great that the park run has parkwalkers to encourage new comers and to other parkruns who are enjoying their walk/jog or trying their best. But it’s not inclusive to take things away from those runners on the other side of the spectrum. Some of these runners like myself use run between 30-40 mins and now I have made some age category records as a result of lots of running, hard work and striving each week at parkrun. Very disappointed

Carolyn Schaeffer (Brisbane, 2024-02-13)

#1021

parkrun should speak to the participants before dictating their ideas

Nick Overy (Great Yarmouth, 2024-02-15)

#1023

Fair play for Females!

Restore performance data!

Philip Podbury (Kialla West 3631, 2024-02-15)

#1026

People should be able to compete at every age. Competition is fun, it's healthy, and it's inspiring to see the aged running fast. They are something to aspire to. They are good role models for the youth. They are examples of age being just a number. In today's society where obesity and diabetes is common, the public need examples of the fit , healthy and fast mature runners. Just because you age doesn't mean you should give up being competitive.

Heidi Jones (Coogee, 2024-02-16)

#1028

I don't think parkrun should be getting involved in politically matters. The easiest solution would be to add a category for trans gender people.

MARK BERGAN (Taree, 2024-02-16)

#1032

The decision to take away PR records is ridiculous and totally against the spirit of Parkrun whereby we are all competing against ourselves and want to improve especially as we get older. It’s a decision of a small minority against the overwhelming wishes of the majority. It needs to be reversed in my humble view!!

Tony McDowell (Perth, 2024-02-17)

#1035

I belive all the records and statistics that were available should be reinstated

Jane Smith (Eastern Heights, 2024-02-18)

#1047

It sounds like a business model designed to avoid any effort or responsibility. The performances are of interest but, as in all races, someone could run as someone else. These are not proper races and every parkrun is just a run on a concrete path. Nevertheless, more information is not a bad thing. Less information is.

Dennis Wylie (CURRUMBIN WATERS, 2024-02-19)

#1049

I’m a parkrun regular with over 200 runs and 30+ volunteers and love the stats. They genuinely aren’t a barrier to entry, they need to be reinstated (please)

Kim Dingwall (Warner, 2024-02-20)

#1051

The records you deleted inspired more people to participate than the stopped people from attending.

David Ryan (COOMERA, 2024-02-20)

#1054

I am signing because I have always found it motivating to see how I am getting on against my age group. When going to other parkruns to see what my age group have done.

Graham Lamb (Burton-on-trent, 2024-02-20)

#1056

JUST CHANGE THE RULES BACK TO WHAT THEY WERE BEFORE PLEASE.

Barry Carey (Eastgardens, 2024-02-20)

#1057

I'm signing this petition as these unnecessary changes by Parkrun management will not achieve the outcomes they aim for. I have been a Parkrunner for 12 years and during this time have introduced around 30 people to this fantastic, lifechanging community event. None of these people have brought up nor have I ever heard of anyone commenting that the records removed make them uncomfortable or gave then second thoughts on participating. Furthermore to make ANY change to the way Parkrun is held or presented without consultation is an insult to every Parkrunner.
Russ, with the greatest of respect, as CEO you are merely a paid custodian of the Parkrun phenomenon which is truly owned by all Parkrunners around the world.

Brett Peel (Brisbane, 2024-02-20)

#1059

What Parkrun HQ has done is very odd

Ben Merlin (Murrumba Downs, 2024-02-20)

#1064

Bring back the stats

Angela Soames (Ipswich, 2024-02-20)

#1066

I’m signing because the stated reason for the removal of these stats ie that they are a barrier to people taking up ParkRun is simply not credible. That I’m being asked to believe that they are a barrier is an insult to my intelligence.

Kevin Ridout (Sutton Coldfield, 2024-02-20)

#1073

To prevent the soul of parkrun from being eroded

Sam Barfield (Nottingham, 2024-02-20)

#1074

This removal of records is just another WOKE load of foolish rubbish..

John Walker (Adelaide, 2024-02-20)

#1077

Being inclusive is also about good amateur runners that use parkrun as their competitive event and comparing themself to the best. At our local parkrun the fastest runners compete against each other, then join the slower runners and walkers as they complete their laps. We all go for a cuppa together afterwards and encourage each other.
If the driver for removing results is concerns with transgender people affecting results, then add a different segment for those entrants, rather than removing information for other runners.
Parkrun is the highlight of my week, sharing it with my daughter and the local community, and we celebrate all finishers regardless of their time, but at the same time enjoy seeing records broken.

Rick Morton (Gulmarrad, 2024-02-21)

#1080

My kids love the Stats.

Gareth McCreadie (Brisbane, 2024-02-21)

#1087

I'm signing because I love the stats, parkrun will not be the same without yhem.

John L Kollen (Midrand, 2024-02-21)

#1089

I'm signing because the Stats made it exciting!!!!

Ria Stevens (Johannesburg, 2024-02-21)

#1091

Parkrun was always highly inclusive with the published records. Keep it that way. Removing data is unnecessary. It’s not a competition and the trans community is not a threat to anyone.

Jacqui Louw (Melbourne, 2024-02-21)

#1097

Stats serve as motivation for many. I'm not the fastest out there but am constantly viewing how fast others are going and being inspired.

Parkrun was already inclusive and many people love it. End of the day the stats help individuals for motivation and want to participate.

The recognition within the parkrun world has always been milestones and to a lesser degree PBs(you against you). Stats is never pushed by anything officially from parkrun, so why did something that isn't broken.

Rhys Travers (EAST DEVONPORT, 2024-02-21)

#1099

Age cat records and benchmarking my runs to peers are my main motivation as I move into my sixties.

Davern White (Burwood, 2024-02-22)

#1113

It's discrimination

Darren Honour (Great Yarmouth, 2024-02-22)

#1115

I do not see that the information was discriminatory. I performed as Timekeeper and even the slowest participant likes to know thevtime. The other stats has not dampen the pleasure of the run or walk.

Johan Steenkamp (Jeffreysbay, 2024-02-22)

#1118

I want stats back

Jon White (Coneyhurst, 2024-02-22)

#1125

I'm signing because whilst the performance stats were never of interest to me, they were important to some of my friends. By removing them to be more 'inclusive' you have sacrificed the interests of one group to better another.

Solita Lightfoot (Daisy Hill, 2024-02-22)

#1129

I think parkrun have this completely wrong! I started going because I love the records. Seeing the best of the best drives me to to better with the hope of one day making one of those lists. Without the records I am far less likely to go.

Tim Monteverde (Bury, 2024-02-22)

#1142

None of the stats put people off, but they do provide amazing motivation for many.

Jono Giddy (Sydney, 2024-02-22)

#1150

Bring back the stats!

Catherine Faletanoai (Auckland, 2024-02-23)

#1152

I never exercised until I started Parkrun at age 68. The stats have been a motivator to keep going.

H C Merriweather (Bradford, 2024-02-23)

#1155

I'm signing because I am 55yo who found motivation to participate in Parkrun to test myself against age records. I lacked motivation before a friend suggested I start participating in Parkrun. I set a goal to run 100km per week and set Parkrun age records, which I am proufldly managed to do 3 times currently. Now I don't know what the records are and I have lost interest in Parkrun until such time as records return. I fail to see how less competitive personalities and body types would choose to not participate due to the presence of record keeping that is publicly available. Goals are good. Aspirations are good, I say. I would hope to continue setting goals until the day my body gives up. The absence of goals terrifies me.

Paul Byres (Mermaid Waters, 2024-02-23)

#1160

I believe the cancelled stats have no bearing on participants who dont often know they exist.

Kevin Newman (Doncaster, 2024-02-23)

#1163

People love to set performance goals. Every age group. It is life blood to getting out of bed for the majority of park run participants. I love seeing my name a few hours later. 8 l9ve seeing my history.

John Davis (Rochedale South, 2024-02-23)

#1164

I enjoy the challenge of achieving success in my age group category. The withdrawal of relevant age records is a great disappointment.

Peter Sanders (Perth, 2024-02-24)

#1165

Very disappointed in loosing the data to evaluate my age group data.

Susan Sanders (Perth, 2024-02-24)

#1167

I'm signing this for a number of reasons, but predominantly because I found the parkrun statistics highly motivational and a key to my improvement as a relatively new, and older runner. From 2016, after a shoulder reconstruction that saw me compelled to switch from open water swimming having enjoyed over 300 events over the 30 plus years, I came across parkrun, which I am extremely grateful for, thank you!
Personally, from a swimming perspective, whilst squads and coaches helped me improve performance, my prime motivation for improvement came from looking at overall results and age category placings etc and striving to improve to catch those ahead of me. Much like parkrun, open water swimming is very inclusive, and you can enjoy a relaxed swim or go hard after a goal, and one of the best parts is the camaraderie and chats on the beach afterwards. It's the same for me with Parkrun, and I thought from the outset that Parkrun is incredibly stats rich, which is a real asset and credit to the founders and developers who built the database, and these statistics are an asset that should not be thrown away. In fact, I've also thought, that if we stare way into the future where parkrun has continued to grow and build upon its already phenomenal social and health benefits, I can envision Parkruns' full bodied statistical database would be of use to future researchers, i.e. demographers, medical researchers, and others. The format of the pre-existing database, has the potential to become a truly global & important longitudinal asset to society.

Chris Andrew (Melbourne, 2024-02-24)

#1168

Sport is about competition and pushing yourself to get better no matter what level you’re at. Another woke decision pandering to the minority

Justin Cain (Brisbane, 2024-02-24)

#1169

Taking away the stats is a ludicrous idea! Stats do not deter new park runners… they probably don’t even know they exist!

Kerry Downey (Melbourne, 2024-02-24)

#1171

I believe we should have been given a choice here. A global survey and not just the opinion of those that are 'running" the show. We are out there running, walking and volunteering and all of a sudden something that gave me an incentive to do better each week has disappeared. As I've been getting older I've found the age graded percentage a fantastic way to keep tabs on my fitness and try harder to get better.
I just feel duped after so many years of running, volunteering and promoting parkrun that we weren't given an opportunity to comment.
You're never going to please everyone, but surely you could have asked those that made parkrun what it is. Those that show up every single week and are parkrunners to their core. Those that promote and recruit new runners all the time.
Badly done parkrun.

Jenae Sorgiovanni (Bushmead, 2024-02-25)

#1174

Many parkrun participants enjoy having access to the performance data. Changes to parkrun policy like this should be done with more consultation.

Paul Whitfield (Perth, 2024-02-25)

#1175

The new decision is wrong - after 5 Park Runs in a row, our family hasn’t returned. We won’t return until this decision is overturned.

Troy Fidler (Brisbane, 2024-02-25)

#1178

People are motivated by different things. I want a fully inclusive Parkrun. I want to see people coming & continuing to come who struggle to get out & walk every Saturday. I also want to see the core group of runners who aim for course & age records to continue to be recognised & celebrated as they are an inspiration to all of us.

Nathan Lawley (Springfield, 2024-02-25)

#1179

I believe the removal of the stat's was a mistake, I have always enjoyed comparing statistics right from the start of my parkrun.

Jonathan Lee (Hope Island, 2024-02-25)

#1183

I understand the reason to be inclusive but I don't believe removing the stat's is driving people away

Tym Blackwell (Lilyfield, 2024-02-25)

#1194

It's ludicrous to have removed them. We want them back and HQ needs to reinstate them immediately

Karl Hearty (Dublin, 2024-02-25)

#1197

The vast majority of Parkrunners enjoy the semi-competitive nature of the eventa and that statistics and records add depth and meaning to their experience.

Gareth Jones (Usk, 2024-02-25)

#1199

Removing the stats was stupid. Nuff said

Michael Taylor (Dunssville, 2024-02-25)



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