Exeter parkrun event cancelled due to unsafe course concerns

Runners planning to take part in Exeter Riverside Parkrun this weekend have been told the popular event will not go ahead because of safety concerns along the route.

Organisers confirmed that the free 5km community run, scheduled for Saturday 7 February, has been cancelled after a combination of hazards made the course unsuitable for use.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Exeter Riverside Parkrun team said problems at several points along the route meant they had no choice but to call off the event.

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“Unfortunately, we have had to call off the Exeter Riverside parkrun this week,” organisers said.

“The pothole that has developed in the path at the second gate in the Riverside Valley Park has not yet been filled in and Bromhams playing field is still waterlogged, meaning course conditions are unsafe.

“Additionally, high water levels in the Exe and high tides mean there is a slight risk of flooding at the turnaround point in the Riverside Valley Park on Saturday morning.”

Exeter Riverside Parkrun normally attracts hundreds of participants each week, with runners, joggers and walkers meeting at 9am every Saturday for the timed event along the riverside paths and playing fields.

Because the event relies on a safe and accessible course for all abilities – including families with buggies and participants with mobility needs – organisers take a cautious approach when conditions deteriorate.

Recent wet weather across Devon has left many parks and open spaces saturated, and the River Exe has been running higher than usual, increasing the risk of surface flooding along low-lying sections of the route.

Regular participants are being advised to check the official Exeter Riverside Parkrun website and social media channels for updates ahead of future events.

While this weekend’s cancellation will be disappointing for many in Exeter’s running community, organisers stressed that the decision had been taken with participant safety as the top priority.

The event is expected to resume once repairs have been carried out and ground conditions improve.