Community running event organiser Parkrun has changed the rules for people who want to take part with their dogs - banning a specific type of lead and harness.
Parkrun is a collection of 5-kilometre events for walkers, runners and volunteers that take place every Saturday morning at more than 2,000 locations.
Some of those taking part in the communal exercise events like to do so with their dogs, and some wear a harness designed for dog running.
But now Parkrun is changing the rules.
In a blog post the event organisers wrote: "From time to time we need to make operational updates and changes, to clarify what might have previously been ambiguous, or to introduce new rules allowing for the continued safe delivery of parkrun events across the world."
They added: "We have decided that, effective from (and including) Saturday 2 April, we will no longer permit parkrunners to use waist harnesses when participating with their dog.
"While we understand that this may be disappointing for some parkrunners, it is a change based on clear evidence contained within our incident database and which we believe will significantly reduce the risks associated with dogs at parkrun."
The Parkrun rules currently state: One dog per participant, kept under firm control on a short lead, or a harness with a short lead, and care must be taken to avoid tripping others.
This is changing to: One dog on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead by the side of the participant, and within reach at all times. Care must also be taken to avoid tripping other parkrunners.
The spokesman said: "We carefully record and review all parkrun-related incidents, and our global incident database allows us to make operational decisions based on the reality of what’s happening in our parks and open spaces.
"Over ten percent of incidents at parkrun events involve dogs, and as such we have spent significant time considering the nature, frequency, and severity of dog-related incidents.
"Our evidence shows that, when participants use waist harnesses, there is an increased risk of serious incidents, particularly trips and falls, compared to when using handheld leads. These are typically associated with dogs running in front of other participants, and are occurring when people are together in groups, when people with dogs are overtaking others, and when people with dogs are being overtaken.
!Unfortunately, the nature of parkrunning with a waist harness is such that the lead allows dogs to move from side to side, in front of the participant, which can result in the dog suddenly and unexpectedly crossing in front of other participants on the course."
Parkrun says dogs are 'absolutely;' still allowed.
The blog adds: "Since the earliest days of parkrun, we’ve openly welcomed people participating with their dogs. Paul Sinton-Hewitt, the founder of parkrun, would participate in the Bushy Park Time Trial with his, and we’ve always felt that it was not only something that emphasised the informal nature of our events, but provided an opportunity for dog owners to participate where they otherwise might be excluded.
"Over the last 17 years however, we have grown from a single event into a global movement, with hundreds of thousands of weekly participants, across 23 different countries. As such we continually review our processes in order to balance accessibility and inclusivity with the safety of our participants and other park users.
"Importantly, we remain of the belief that, overall, the benefits of allowing participation with dogs far outweigh the risks of doing so.
"Our commitment has always been, and always will be, to support participation with dogs wherever it is appropriate to do so."
