Nike your elitist messaging is not welcome at parkrun. Plus, you've got this one wrong. Big time. People DO come for a walk in the park. And they come a VERY long way. And they are SO welcome. 🧡 They come all this way for a walk in the park from perhaps never taking a step out of the front door. 🧡 They come all this way for a walk in the park via a social prescription from their GP. 🧡 They come all this way for a walk in the park perhaps battling a long term health condition. 🧡 They come all this way for a walk in the park from some of the lowest socio-economic groups across the UK. 🧡 They come all this way for a walk in the park facing barriers to being physically active we can never even begin to understand. 🧡 They come all this way for a walk in the park in search of connection, community, friends, perhaps solace in grief, or taking a break from caring responsibilities. 🧡They come all this way for a walk in the park just to be outside in a safe and welcoming space, having maybe never felt like they belonged anywhere else where they could 'exercise'. 🧡 They come all this way for a walk in the park cos they can't afford a gym membership, or fancy kit, or don't have the confidence for team sports. 🧡 They come all this way for a walk in the park cos they can bring their children, or grandparents, and take part for free as a family. 🧡 They come all this way for a walk in the park not expecting to see something like this undermining everything we stand for. Imagine trying to take that away from them. Imagine trying to shame them for walking just for a bit of brand awareness. Imagine turning up at parkrun events, circumventing the charity and volunteers that provide them, putting up these billboards, riding round on Rickshaws literally pedalling this message (sorry couldn't resist that one!), using this kind of language, putting incredible and totally unnecessary pressure on the local people, who are giving their time for free to provide something safe and welcoming for their communities. There aren't many days I feel sad at work, but today is one of them. To anyone thinking about coming to parkrun, walking, running, volunteering, coming to watch, whatever the hell you like, ignore this rubbish. And to all the incredible volunteers out there delivering parkrun, we are heartbroken you are having to experience this guerilla marketing at your events. Thank you for being kind and dignified, and showing that we really are open to all. ESPECIALLY those who really DID come all this way for a walk in the park 💃🏻 #loveparkrun | 289 comments on LinkedIn