Many Surrey parkrunners' plans were flushed down the pan when Woking parkrun was cancelled on Saturday 3 May 2025. The Woking parkrun office posted this explanation on the event website:

"We are sorry but there will be no Woking parkrun this Saturday. There is a sewage leak near the start area, which has since spread further into the park. Thames Water and Council contractors are currently working to resolve the issue, but it’s proving more complex than expected. In addition to the obvious health hazard, there may well be vehicle movements on the course as part of the repair work. As a result, they have requested that all sporting activities in the park be suspended this weekend."

A more relaxed announcement that was released on the event Facebook page read: 

"The course is...a bit too organic this week (3rd May). We’ve got a full-blown nature experience – complete with unexpected smells. We have a sewage leak, and whilst this is a poo'r situation, it is at the request of Thames Water. Both our main and No.2 courses are affected, so a total blockage. Cancelled for your nostrils’ sake. Put your best puns in the comments below."

Needless to say, there was an outpouring of wit! Here are some of the best posts:

"Hopefully Thames Water can flush out the problem soon, and we can get back to bog standard running" - Tim Bennett.
"You’re just kicking up a huge stink" - Somerdale Pavilion parkrun.
"This is such a DRAIN on parkrun resources" - Adam Creen.
"No.2 course. Snigger" - Elizabeth Davies.

Woking parkrun team responded with this pithy comment: 

"A week for everyone to get their 'runs' elsewhere".

Woking parkrun has a 462-event history since the inaugural event on 16 August 2014 was attended by 290 parkrunners and 15 volunteers. There have been 129,605 finishes in an average finish time of 29:06.

The Surrey parkrun community was relieved to hear that alternative facilities were available within a five-mile radius at Guildford, Brooklands, and Homewood!

Image adapted from Woking parkrun on Facebook