Parkrun bosses have said they will not bow to public pressure to reinstate age and course records to their near-800 UK events.
The management of the runs announced in February that the event would no longer list the fastest finisher times on its websites.
Parkrun is a free weekly running event in open spaces around the world
Across 792 sites in the UK, Parkrun provides a 5km run every Saturday at 9am — with all registered finishers receiving a time.
Until February, the website specific to each course also listed an age group record for each gender but this is no longer the case.
Parkrun organisers said this was to ensure that times were “not off-putting” and that it “doesn't imply that parkrun is a race".
They added: "What was clear is that there was a disconnect between the performance data displayed so prominently on the site, and our mission to create opportunities for as many people as possible to take part in parkrun events.
"We try hard to make sure the information we share is consistent with our values, and that, in all that we do, we continue to find ways to remove barriers to registration and participation."
There has also been unofficial talk of the records being removed to get rid of an ethical grey area where trans runners could eclipse times set by a woman.
Runners Will Hartley, Mary Taylor, and Alexander Smotrov have campaigned for the statistics to be reintroduced. They met Parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt and chief executive Russ Jefferys on Saturday (April 27).
Their change.org post said: “The removal of statistics from Parkrun has left a void in the hearts of many participants. These stats are not just numbers; they represent personal milestones and progress that inspire runners of all abilities to push their limits.
“Statistics have always been an integral part of Parkrun. They provide a tangible measure of improvement and motivate participants to keep striving for better results. For my son and countless others, these stats serve as a testament to their hard work and dedication.”
The three had a chat that lasted 90 minutes but the bosses were unmoved, Athletics Weekly reported.
Ms Taylor wrote afterwards: “They have visions for the future of removing the ability to see any other runners' data and results… and in only being able to see your own individual results as well as event results.
“They envisage parkrun to have a social aspect where you can “befriend” or “follow” other runners, as you might on Facebook or Strava, and mutual friends could view the statistics of their friends.”
She added: “It was really disappointing that parkrun show no intention of seeking a way to continue providing the course stats that meant so much to so many.
“It is clear that they wish to present their reason as it being in keeping with their ethos and aims as a charity, but it’s also clear that, to an undefined degree, they have felt it necessary to make this change to avoid being classified as a sport or race.”
