Parkrun will continue every week in Tooting Common after a successful six month trial.

Campaigners had long lobbied to bring the free, weekly, timed 5km run events to Wandsworth, but a policy in the borough that means parks must be hired for such events. 

Feb 1: In Pictures: Sadiq Khan helps launch the first Wandsworth parkrun in Tooting Common

Dec 4: Six-month trial agreed for Parkrun in Wandsworth

A six month trial began in January and on August 3, it was announced the event will continue. 

Parkrun has been approved by Wandsworth Council on an annual rolling basis, with funding from the public health budget. 

Community services spokesman Councillor Jonathan Cook said: “We have studied the impact of these weekly events on Tooting Common and also consulted closely with the two local groups who help us to manage it properly and in the interests of the whole community.

“They both agreed with us that these trial events had been well organised and that the impact on the fabric of the common had not been excessive or unreasonable.

“Both supported Parkrun’s continued use of the common but the view was expressed that if the events did start to cause excessive damage to the common or if the organisers wanted to stage much larger events or move them to a busier time of the day, then that would need further careful consideration.

“I am pleased therefore to announce that Parkrun will be continuing on Tooting Common. We fully support well managed initiatives that promote sports and fitness and encourage residents to lead healthier, more active lifestyles.”

Since the trial period began in January more than 7,000 people have attended a Saturday morning run on the common. Attendances have ranged from 200 to 457.

Rory Murphy, parkrun UK ambassador, said: "On behalf of Tooting parkrun and parkrun UK, I'd like to welcome the news that the event has been cleared to continue taking place every week on Tooting Common, offering a free timed 5k run to all residents of the borough.

"The event has been a great success so far and huge praise must go to the event team and all the parkrunners who have enabled this while also ensuring a positive relationship with the park management and other users. 

"We'd like to thank Wandsworth Council for their decision and look forward to many more years of parkrun on the common."

Now Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launched the first trial event in January.

The decision to offer Parkrun a grant from its public health budget to fund the initiative mirrors the arrangement in neighbouring Richmond where Parkrun events in Bushy Park are funded by Richmond Council.

Tooting Common parkrun takes place every Saturday morning from 9am at Dr Johnson Avenue.