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Jogger told by Parkrun to wear more clothing after donning mankini at Canterbury event

16:48, 21 February 2023

updated: 16:56, 21 February 2023

A scantily-clad jogger says he was told to wear more clothing in future after donning a mankini at a Parkrun event.

Janos Kozma, 41, was also spotted jogging through Canterbury city centre in the eye-wateringly skimpy attire - and even stopped to take a selfie with police.

Janos Kozma, 41, took part in a Parkrun event in Canterbury. Picture: Janos Kozma
Janos Kozma, 41, took part in a Parkrun event in Canterbury. Picture: Janos Kozma

While many onlookers found his escapades hilarious, he claims he has since been told by bosses at Parkrun's headquarters to cover up in future.

The Norwegian flew to the UK on Thursday to visit a friend, before flying back following his mischievious antics over the weekend.

He decided to dress in the swimsuit - made famous by 2006 film Borat - when he attended the Parkrun event at the University of Kent campus in Canterbury on Saturday with his pal.

Asked why he decided to do it, the warehouse operative said: "First of all, it’s for fun and I like to make people laugh and smile.

Janos Kozma, 41, took part in a Parkrun event in Canterbury. Picture: Janos Kozma
Janos Kozma, 41, took part in a Parkrun event in Canterbury. Picture: Janos Kozma

"I also like to question the unwritten rules and norms - to make people think why things are the way they are.

"Also, I have never run in the UK but I have in other countries so I like to compare how people react in different places."

The former University of Kent student says he has jogged in three different countries while sporting the mankini: Norway, Hungary and the UK.

He added: "In Norway, people understand it is a joke and they laugh.

"In Hungary, they don’t understand it’s a joke and become abusive.

Janos Kozma, 41, took part in a Parkrun event in Canterbury. Picture: Janos Kozma
Janos Kozma, 41, took part in a Parkrun event in Canterbury. Picture: Janos Kozma

"In the UK, it was somewhere in between but mostly positive.

"The organisers were concerned it shouldn’t go ahead but they changed their minds.

"People gave me their thumbs up, smiled and laughed so it was a positive experience."

However, Janos soon realised not everyone was impressed by his stunt.

"I received an email from Parkrun HQ to say they had received some complaints so it’s been a mixed reception," he said.

"They asked me to cover up next time.

Janos Kozma, 41, took part in a Parkrun event in Canterbury. Picture: Janos Kozma
Janos Kozma, 41, took part in a Parkrun event in Canterbury. Picture: Janos Kozma

"For me, it was a positive experience and I thought it was for everyone else - although this might not have been entirely the case."

The following day, he decided to jog around Canterbury's city centre wearing the swimsuit, and received a more positive response.

Passers-by stopped to take pictures with him and he says people were much more receptive to his look.

"I didn’t receive any negative comments," he added.

"I took many selfies with random people who were laughing.

"Even the police stopped me along the way, who were very supportive and didn’t say I was doing anything wrong. I actually had a selfie with the police."

Parkrun has been contacted for comment.

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