Parkrun Australia has indefinitely stopped its Victorian schedule because of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
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Under Stage C of the state government's roadmap, park runs are classified as "physical recreation" in Victoria and require all participants to be checked in and show proof of their vaccination status prior to the event.
Ararat Parkrun event director Tricia Ruthven said the community understood but was disappointed with the situation.
"It is sad, a lot of people love the park run," she said.
"We have got no idea when we can return.
"We get a lot of tourists due to the park run, which makes the whole situation quite disappointing."
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Parkrun Australia said the logistics of forcing its volunteers to confirm the vaccination status of all participants would "fundamentally break" its operating model.
"It puts a big responsibility onto the volunteers," Ms Ruthven said.
"We start at 8:00am on the clock, there are a lot of people that rock up at the last minute, we simply wouldn't have enough time to check their vaccination status.
"Parkrun Australia has decided that until that doesn't have to happen, Parkrun won't be happening in Victoria.
"We are lucky in Ararat we have a strong group of people who are willing to put their hand up to volunteer, but that would change if they have to turn away their friends.
"I know retail has to follow this mandate but this is different, this is volunteer run."
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Ms Ruthven revealed Parkrun Australia has attempted to find a way around the mandate.
"Parkrun has tried to have us put into a different category, because in some of the other sporting categories you don't have to prove your vaccination status," she said.
"We are on a COVID-19 pause until this can get sorted.
"Until the classification alters the Ararat Park run will not be happening along with every other parkrun in Victoria."
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