Sports minister Tracey Crouch has joined gold medal-winning runners Paula Radcliffe and Kelly Holmes in condemning a parish council’s decision to charge for a weekly fun run.

Organsiers of Huddersfield’s hugely-popular Parkrun have also expressed outrage.

More than 300 people take part in the timed 5k Parkrun at Little Stoke Park in Stoke Gifford, south Gloucestershire, each Saturday at 9am.

Stoke Gifford Parish Council has recently paid £55,000 to resurface the car park, while the path will soon need to be replaced at a cost of £60,000.

General view of Little Stoke Park in Stoke Gifford, south Gloucestershire, as Sports minister Tracey Crouch has joined gold medal-winning runners Paula Radcliffe and Kelly Holmes in condemning a parish council's decision to charge for a weekly fun run
General view of Little Stoke Park in Stoke Gifford, south Gloucestershire, as Sports minister Tracey Crouch has joined gold medal-winning runners Paula Radcliffe and Kelly Holmes in condemning a parish council's decision to charge for a weekly fun run

It says the fun run, which has been taking place each week for three years, has led to “increased wear” and complaints from local residents.

But more than 20,000 people have signed a Change.org petition against the council’s decision to charge Parkrun to use the grounds.

Parkrun has more than 850 weekly events in 12 countries, all delivered by volunteers and free to take part.

In Huddersfield the event in Greenhead Park has grown to be the second biggest in the country behind London. Last Saturday saw 728 runners line up in the park.

Watch Greenhead Park Parkrunners in action

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There is also a junior Parkrun in Greenhead Park each Sunday, another junior Parkrun launching in Ravensknowle Park this weekend and two in Dewsbury.

Mark Nicholson, who organises the Huddersfield event with Simon Brass, thinks the charging idea is ridiculous.

“We express our sadness and stand with our friends at Little Stoke parkrun.

“We would also like to take this moment to personally thank our local councils and park staff for everything they have done for us. They have been nothing but supportive to us, and for that we should be eternally grateful.

“We have recently changed the start and finish as the runners were wearing out a grassed area and Kirklees are happy.”

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Kirklees Council confirmed they had no plans to charge park runners.

Ms Crouch, the sports, tourism and heritage minister, tweeted: “Completely agree with @parkrunUK. Decision by PC contrary to gov sports strategy & creates barrier to participation.”

The minister, who is on maternity leave, added, “what I always say: good councils recognise value of investment in sport & leisure on other more expensive budgets”.

Radcliffe tweeted: “Am totally against this short sighted decision. I fully support the right for this event for children to be free.”