Parkrun back after suspension over safety concerns

A parkrun event has returned three weeks after being suspended due to a surge in attendance and safety concerns over runners overtaking.

Weymouth parkrun, held at Lodmoor Country Park, had been attracting more than 500 participants each week before being temporarily cancelled in August.

Organisers said the decision had been made after a rise in numbers and, "more worryingly", an increase in reports of runners overtaking in confined areas.

Following its suspension, 379 runners returned to Lodmoor Country Park on Saturday to complete the the 5km (3.1-mile) route on Saturday after a two-week hiatus.

In a post on its Facebook page, Weymouth Parkrun said "no incidents were reported" during Saturday's run.

It added that new signage had been installed ahead of the race to encourage runners to remain on the correct side of the path whilst taking part.

The events restart comes after organisers announced on 18 August that it had cancelled races scheduled for 22 and 29 August.

Announcing the decision on its Facebook page, organisers said: "If we want to enjoy our parkrun in the future, we need to take action now.

"We ask each week that everyone keeps to the left side of the path, particularly on the out and back stretch, and most do - but each week we have reports of people overtaking when there isn't room."

It added that every incident reported results in "several hours of work for our core team".

On 1 August, 690 runners and walkers took part in the 600th parkrun at the seaside town.

The nearest other parkrun events are held at the Great Field in Poundbury, Dorchester, and Bridport FC's St Mary's Field.