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Mass Participation Running Events Celebrate Safe Return
July 14, 2021 Mel Bound

Mass Participation Running Events Celebrate Safe Return

The Mass Participation Sports Organisers (MSO) today celebrated the return of mass participation sports events outdoors as the government confirmed that England will move into Step 4 from 19 July.

This gives the green light for the return of the most famous mass participation outdoor running events across the country and MSO members, including the organisers of the London Marathon, parkrun, This Mum Runs, the Great North Run, Brighton Marathon, the ASICS London 10K, London Landmarks Half Marathon, The Vitality Big Half and Manchester Marathon have worked together to plan protocols and operational solutions that ensure the safe return of mass participation events outdoors.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events, said: “It is wonderful to confirm that our great mass participation events are returning across the country. Extensive scientific research worldwide has shown that the risk of transmission of Covid-19 outdoors is negligible. The UK’s event organisers have worked together to ensure the safe return of mass participation sports events outdoors by participating in the government’s Events Research Programme and collaborating on a range of protocols that ensure our events will be safe and Covid-secure.”

Paul Foster, CEO of the Great Run Company, said: “Our events inspire people of all ages and abilities to get active, which is so important for both physical and mental health. Participants in the MSO’s calendar of events generate more than £250 million every year for charities and these funds are so desperately needed now, as the services of charities are vital to support vulnerable members of society.”

Mel Bound, CEO of This Mum Runs said: “We're proud to have contributed to the collective efforts of MSO to ensure our much-loved events can return safely and inclusively, and we encourage everyone to get involved - sign up for a free This Mum Runs run, join your local parkrun or enter that race you’ve had on your bucket list for ages. We can’t wait to welcome back our community of runners and volunteers on the 21st July.”

Dates for the diary

Here’s a calendar of the iconic mass participation races that are confirmed to go ahead from later this month. 

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