Parkrun is looking to Battersea Park as the latest place to host its Saturday morning running events.

A pubic consultation is underway to garner what level of local enthusiasm there is for a Battersea Park parkrun.

From 2004 when the first lowkey running event was hosted in nearby Bushy Park, parkrun has grown to a vast size that now operates events at 786 locations across the country.

The charity already stages its free 5km Saturday morning runs on Clapham Common and Tooting Common, as well as a number of other green spaces in London.

If the proposal for a Battersea Park parkrun proceeds, the 5km route would commence in Central Avenue, passing the bandstand to return via East Carriage Drive, South Carriage Drive and West Carriage Drive. Two circuits of this route would equate to 5km.

Wandsworth Council has professed its support for the event to take place but admitted accommodating runners will likely cause disruption, with the temporary closure of Rosery Gate to vehicle traffic likely required on Saturday mornings.

The proposed route for Battersea Park parkrun (Credit: Wandsworth Council)

Judi Gasser, Wandsworth's Cabinet member for environment said: "Parkrun is a wonderful community event that is hugely popular across the country and which delivers tangible benefits to those taking part in their health and well-being.

"We absolutely support initiatives that promote sports and fitness and inspire our residents to lead healthier, more active lifestyles and if Parkrun is given the go-ahead, we would be particularly keen to ensure that local people living nearby and in Battersea's surrounding neighbourhoods are actively encouraged to get involved.

"We believe we could successfully stage weekly Parkrun events in Battersea Park without causing undue disruption to other park users, but before taking any decisions we want to hear the voices of the local community and especially those who visit the park on a regular basis."

And MP for Battersea Marsha de Cordova added: "I think it would be fantastic if Parkrun were able to come to Battersea Park, but it's really important that local people take part in the consultation and have their say. The council needs to hear what local people think."

The public consultation on whether Battersea Park should host parkrun events runs until Friday, 30 June.

Access the online survey at https://haveyoursay.citizenspace.com/wandsworthecs/parkrun/

Those people who would prefer a paper copy should email [email protected] or call (020) 3959 0060.

Staff from the council's leisure and culture contractor Enable are also holding two face-to-face information sessions near the park's Rosery Gate on:

Wednesday, 14 June: 4pm - 7pm

Saturday, 24 June: 10am - 1pm