Parkrun has apologised after campaigners accused the organisation of censoring social media photographs to remove the name of a group opposing male-born competitors taking part in women’s events.
Images from the Heaton Park Parkrun in Manchester were edited to obscure the words “Reality Rules Runners Club UK” on participants’ T-shirts. The pictures were posted online last weekend, prompting criticism from runners who described the action as “dystopian”.
The Reality Rules Runners Club UK (RRRC) was launched six weeks ago amid concerns that Parkrun continues to allow trans women, described by the campaign as born male, to compete in female categories.
More than 600 Parkrunners have since worn the group’s T-shirts. The campaign says the clothing was intended to press Parkrun organisers to change their policy.
Guidance published on Parkrun’s online volunteer hub instructed volunteers: “When publishing photos of an event on social media, please take care to remove any photos that may reference the campaign/demonstrations.”
The organisation also specifically named the RRRC during a briefing for volunteers at events held last weekend.
Parkrun has since said the editing resulted from “a misinterpretation of our guidance” and apologised to the group for the “frustration and upset”. The original photographs have now been published on Facebook.
The RRRC founder, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “We were not campaigning, we were not handing out leaflets, we were simply running with T-shirts with Reality Rules Runners on them.”
Parkrun organises more than 1,400 events across the country each week. A spokesman said: “Parkrun is a charity offering community-led events to improve public health.”
The campaign has described the apology and publication of the original images as its first victory in its effort to challenge Parkrun’s approach to women’s results.
