Parkrun’s women’s record is held by trans runner who was jailed for trying to kill official in row over eligibility
A TRANS runner who holds a Parkrun's women's record has caused outrage after it was revealed she was jailed for trying to kill an official in a row over eligibility.
Lauren Jeska, 41, was jailed in 2017 for a horrifying knife attack on a UK Athletics representative over her the question of her eligibility to compete as a female athlete.
Oxford-educated Jeska was handed an 18-year prison sentence for repeatedly stabbing UK Athletics' head of human resources, Ralph Knibbs, then 42.
She had taken two knives to his office at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium in March 2016 after being told her titles would be null and void in row over testosterone levels.
Mr Knibbs told the court at the time that the "traumatic, life-changing experience" had robbed him of his independence.
Born male, Jeska holds the female record for the Aberystwyth Parkrun, running the 5km course in 17 minutes, 38 seconds in 2012.
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But despite being behind bars, Jeska still continues to hold the women's record time, prompting outrage from campaigners for equality in women's sport.
Heather Binning, founder of the Women’s Rights Network, told : “I am lost for words that a male is stealing what should be women’s records first of all, and setting these records that will not be broken - these records are frozen, women won’t beat them.”
She said it was “gobsmacking” that Jeska was in prison for the attempted murder of somebody from UK Athletics who was questioning how eligible the runner was as an athlete.
And she added that Jeska “is in a women’s prison despite politicians' mealy-mouthed words that violent male offenders should not be in the female estate”.
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Binning continued: "Politicians are turning their backs and sports associations are frightened and are being hung out to dry.
“Why is it that volunteer women are having to hunt out these things around the country?
“More people take part in Parkrun than the Olympics - it does matter. The grassroots is where the elite athletes come from - girls and women will not in these circumstances want to participate.”
She said that it was “one thing” that biologically male athletes were breaking women’s records but another that violent male offenders remained in the female prison estate.
Parkrun is a global running community which organises 5km races every Saturday for all abilities, encouraging people to run, walk or spectate in the event.
The fun run was started in Teddington in 2004 and has become hugely popular, gaining fans around the world.
Jenska, who transitioned in 2000, won a series of titles for her performance in the sport - including the women's 2010, 2011 and 2012 English fell running champion, and 2012 British champion.
It is believed she had told a handful of people of her sex change, including those at the UK Athletics board.
The dispute arose in 2015 after she failed to provide blood samples to prove her testosterone levels had lowered significantly enough to continue running as a woman.
As a result, her racing results were to be declared null and void.
A week before the attack, Mr Knibbs had gone to Jeska’s home to discuss the issue.
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Despite being stabbed in the throat, in a blow which nicked both his carotid artery and jugular vein, the victim managed to grab both Jeska's wrists while shocked colleagues rushed to his aid.
Two other men - Tim Begley and Kevan Taylor - were also injured as Jeska resisted, before half a dozen workers managed to pin her to the ground until police arrived.
