Former Olympic marathon runner Mara Yamauchi has found herself at the centre of a heated row after a Parkrun director told her to "f*** off" in a dispute over transgender participation in women's events.
The extraordinary exchange unfolded on social media after Yamauchi questioned Parkrun's stance on leafleting at a recent event near Birmingham.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has since leapt to Yamauchi's defence.
Yamauchi, who finished sixth in the women's marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, took to X on Sunday seeking answers from Parkrun.
Mara Yamauchi has frequently spoken out against trans athletes competing in women's sports
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She questioned why leaflets advocating for fairness in women's events were deemed "offensive and discriminatory" by organisers at Kingsbury Water parkrun.
"Is women wanting fairness 'offensive and discriminatory'?" the 51-year-old asked in her post.
Her post prompted a furious response from Simon Teale, a Parkrun director and volunteer, who wrote: "F*** off, you bigoted bully."
Teale continued by praising Parkrun volunteers who "support their communities" and have "encouraged more to strengthen their physical and mental health than ex-professional Mara ever has."
According to the Parkrun website, Teale has been a run director in Stratford-Upon-Avon 132 times and volunteered over 500 times.
Navratilova, who has frequently spoken out against trans athletes competing in women's sports, responded sarcastically to Teale's outburst.
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"Much support to those who don't give a s*** about women's rights. How very kind of you," she wrote.
The tennis legend added: "And your response to Mara, an amazing person and athlete, really is kindness personified. Wow..."
The Kingsbury Water parkrun's initial Facebook post, which has since been deleted, stated that the event had been "spoiled by someone leafletting in one of the car parks with some offensive and discriminatory material."
The organisers emphasised that "parkrun is an inclusive event" and that "everyone has a right to parkrun" without "bigotry being thrust in their faces."
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Former Olympian Sharron Davies has long been a vocal campaigner on the issue
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They apologised to anyone who found the material on their vehicles.
Parkrun has been embroiled in controversy over transgender issues in recent months.
In February, organisers announced they would stop listing fastest runners' times following disputes over trans athletes posting female records.
Parkrun claimed this decision was part of a long-term plan to improve inclusivity rather than a response to the transgender row.
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Hi @KingsburyH2O, so far you have ignored me and all the others asking you what is “offensive and discriminatory” about fairness for females. What is your answer?
— Mara Yamauchi (@mara_yamauchi) April 6, 2025
Perhaps @parkrunUK HQ can confirm please - is women wanting fairness “offensive and discriminatory”? https://t.co/75cQXjdwJg
Former Olympian Sharron Davies, another vocal campaigner on this issue, has dismissed Parkrun's explanation for removing records.
"I don't believe that this is something that they've had planned for months or years," Davies told Sky.
She has instead proposed creating a separate Parkrun category for transgender athletes.
"If that means bringing in some extra classifications, fantastic," Davies added.
