The Enniskillen parkrun directors have spoken out about last week’s controversial announcement that Castle Coole will no longer host the weekly 5K, saying the move came when “the local National Trust management changed their admission policy” for parkrunners.

The local parkrun directors refused to adhere to the new admission policy because it “was in direct conflict with parkrun’s own core principle of every event being free.”

Enniskillen parkrun was the only parkrun in Northern Ireland to be hosted on a National Trust property. In England, 25 National Trust properties currently host the weekly run for free.

In a statement last week, the National Trust said the decision was “very much about the long term conservation impact on Castle Coole.”

Hundreds of local parkrunners took to facebook seeking clarity over the move.

In response, the Enniskillen parkrun directors – Brendan Rasdale, Caroline McCaffrey, Donal Cox, Finbar Maguire, Martina Comac, Nicola Burchmore and Bryony May – wrote a statement on facebook.

They apologised “for the lack of clarity and commentary” following the joint statement from parkrun UK and National Trust Headquarters.

“The last week has been an extremely difficult one for Enniskillen parkrun,” they said.

“No-one is more devastated to be leaving our beautiful venue than us and we have done everything in our power to stay here.”

They said that over the last six months, they had met the National Trust regularly “to provide mutual feedback, deal with any arising issues, ensure appropriate communications and in general ensure that our relationship with our venue is a productive and positive one.”

They continued: “Late in the Spring, the local National Trust management changed their admission policy with regard to parkrun. This policy was in direct conflict with parkrun’s own core principle of every event being free to the parkrunner.

“Having taken discussions locally as far as we could take them, negotiations have taken place between parkrun HQ and National Trust HQ. However, the outcome remains the same.”

The Run Director team have “worked tirelessly” to find a new permanent venue. They are currently looking at a number of possible locations., saying “this is neither quick nor simple.”

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council immediately offered us the free use of the Lakeland Forum (our original venue) as either a temporary or permanent home. We are very grateful for their support on this.”

They thanked the National Trust for allowing them to use Castle Coole for two years and said they “will miss the venue greatly”. Castle Coole was “thoroughly enjoyed by local and visitors alike, many of whom were or became members of National Trust,” they added.

Looking to the future, they wrote: “Ultimately, parkrun is about the people who participate in it, the benefits they gain from such activity and our sense of community. Regardless of where we end up, we firmly believe that this will remain.” We look positively to the future. Viva la parkrun!”