Is it right to charge for Parkrun in Southampton?

The Parkrun movement has rapidly grown to become a Saturday morning institution after exploding onto the scene more than a decade ago.

The series of free-to-enter 5KM timed races organised entirely by volunteers are now held in 850 parks and public spaces worldwide and attract hundreds of thousands of people a week since being spawned from the original Bushy Parkrun held in Teddington, London, in 2004.

It comes as nearly 1,000 people are expected to take to their marks at Southampton Common today to set off on the city's Parkrun - just a week before 8,000 people take to the streets for the ABP Southampton Half Marathon and 10K.

But Parkrun's stellar rise in popularity hit a major hurdle when parish councillors in Gloucestershire voted for plans to charge organisers of their local event held in Little Stoke near Bristol.

The decision by Stoke Gifford Parish Council was met with public outcry led by athletes Chrissie Wellington and Dame Kelly Holmes - fearing other local authorities might follow suit and he decision will lead to people turning their back on the events.

More than 50,000 people signed a protest petition.

But the council insist the charges should be brought in to bring it in line with other organisations like local football clubs, which pay for use of facilities.

Now Southampton leisure chiefs insist the city's run will remain free - saying it boosts the city's standing as well as Sotonians' health and fitness.

And it comes as sporting groups, community organisations and politicians say the financial, social and health benefits of free event far outweigh the benefits of charging for it and removing the key attraction of free entry which makes it so popular.

The Southampton Parkrun attracted a record 844 people on Saturday, January 9 - making it the second biggest in the country that weekend - and uniting people of all ages and backgrounds.

Southampton City Council cabinet member for leisure Councillor Satvir Kaur, who occasionally takes part herself, said: "We have no intention of ever charging for Parkrun in Southampton. It is an excellent event run solely by volunteers and one that we are extremely proud of.

"For someone to charge and put an extra barrier there would be a massive shame. It brings the community together and can enable hard to reach communities to get involved in physical activities.

"People will embrace a healthier lifestyle, reducing costs on the NHS and it is among events such as Common People which bring people and money to Southampton and make it a place where people want to be."

But she urged parkrunners to ensure they minimise the impact on the environment by ensuring they kept to the set paths and to take any litter home with them.

Val Ferguson, secretary of the Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery, which maintains the nearby cemetery and hosts information days in the Hawthorns Cafe, said the volume of runners causes little impact on the environment - apart from pressure on parking spaces during the short time it is on.

She said: "There is occasionally litter but it isn't very much. They are very friendly and helpful and want to have fun and it is important that the Common is getting used by the community."

Many participants have been using it as a training ground ahead of next weekend's Southampton Half Marathon, which will bring 20,000 spectators to the streets, putting the city on the map and bringing thousands of pounds to the local economy.

Southampton Half race director Chris Rees branded the Gloucestershire parish council's decision "disappointing".

According to him, Southampton's Parkrun has inspired people to take up sport.

He said: "There is such a community spirit there and it's been good to get people into running. We are really lucky to have the Common so close to the city centre. The volunteers look after the environment and clear away afterwards, they have a conscience. If it does get too big there is the chance to split it off and set up separate Parkruns in other locations in Southampton."

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith also thinks it is essential it remains free.

He said: "The Common belongs to the people and should be able to do what they want there within reason. At the same time we are trying to get people healthier and this is an easy way to get people of all levels of fitness out enjoying themselves."

John Grant who is event director of the Southampton Parkrun accused the parish council of "short sightedness" and praised Southampton City Council for its support, adding: "Parkrun brings communities together and gets people who otherwise would not be active out into their local community for some exercise in a friendly encouraging environment. Trying to charge goes against everything Parkrun stands for, a free event for everyone, its a sad day when a council want to charge for the use of a public park."

Parkrun has 850 worldwide, including 393 in Britain and 92 junior events - including one held on Sundays in Riverside Park.

The ABP Southampton Half Marathon takes place over two days from Saturday, April 23.

The main event is on Sunday, April 24 - the same day as the London Marathon - and takes in some of the city's most iconic sites including the Bargate, the QE2 Anchor and St Mary's Stadium during the 13.1mile route before finishing back at the Guildhall Square.

It is being organised by Marafun UK with Associated British Ports (ABP) as the prime sponsor.

Find out more about the events by visiting parkrun.org.uk or abpsouthamptonhalf.co.uk