Estate's Parkrun scrapped over increased pressures

A popular running event which has attracted almost 10,000 participants since 2021 has been cancelled.

Markshall Parkrun had taken place every Saturday at the estate near Coggeshall in Essex, but has not been held since 22 August.

Continued growth of the event had resulted in "increased pressures" on the site's infrastructure and facilities, a statement on Parkrun's website said.

Organisers of the 5km (3.1-mile) race had previously criticised a "small minority who do not understand how their behaviour impacts" others.

Allegations of abuse against staff and event organisers had also been made.

Reacting to the cancellation on Facebook, runners said it was "such a shame" to lose the event and that race marshals had worked "so hard" there.

Parkrun said on its website that it had tried to fix the issues but they "could not be resolved satisfactorily".

Parkrun was originally started in October 2004 by founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt.

The first event took place in Bushy Park in Teddington, south-west London, and was attended by 13 runners and five volunteers.

Today, its events are held across more than 20 countries and at over 2,000 weekly locations worldwide.

The BBC has contacted Markshall for comment.

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