25/09/2020. It’s time to return to Tuesday and Thursday night training sessions for a more formal get together and enjoy looking at each others’ faces again (fortunately the evenings are getting dark)! England Athletics updated their guidance on 23rd September in line with the latest government rules, but still allows us to get together. At the moment there remains NO access to changing or toilet facilities. Make sure we have your up to date contact details!
Important bit…every UKA-registered member will be added to the ADRC-News WhatsApp group. This is for the purposes of providing pertinent information regarding covid updates and to be certain members are receiving this information. If you prefer not to be in receipt of club updates please discuss this with the Chairman.
Another important bit…every member should wear running gear that allows them to be seen! Brightly coloured, reflective clothing and lights. Ninjas are not invited! Part of the risk assessment involves keeping our members safe. It is getting dark and we all need to be visible.
Training will return as an organised club activity on Tuesday 29th September. Communication is essential and the rules non-negotiable (with disciplinary sanctions for disobedience)! This is in place to keep our affiliation with England Athletics, maintain the club’s insurance and not make the national newspapers as a local COVID hotspot!
- Covid Coordinator. Our esteemed President, Graham Werrett, has agreed to hold this position. He will be in receipt of our members’ training night activities and will help the Chairman keep a record, see below. This is a mandatory requirement and used as reference in the event of a ‘track and trace’ being instigated.
- Covid symptoms. Clearly, if you are unwell, coughing, lost your taste/smell and/or high a high temperature you must stay at home and follow government guidance (isolate/test). Alert Fez or the Chairman as soon as possible (including if you have been advised to isolate or had a positive test) which allows us to choose between suspending club activities and/or advising club contacts.
- Run Groups. Members must coordinate themselves into suitable run groups and agree a time to meet and depart from the club house (around 7pm). Each group should have a ‘leader’ to inform the President of group members (via WhatsApp). Make this up, this is not a formal responsible role. Aim to have 5 minutes between groups departing. Aim to keep as best you can a 2 metre ‘social’ distance and no touching!
- Time Trial. This is still viable, but will be organised like our Christmas handicap race. Each member must inform Graham they are attending the Tuesday before with an expected time. Without a ‘booking’ you will be asked to leave. Runners will be set off with the slowest first starting at 7pm. Suitable time gaps will be put into place; I do not expect everyone to finish at the same time. Maintain social distancing before, during and after the run if you choose to stay and support. Then go home.
- Chip butties. At the moment we cannot attend the Norton Club as a group of more than six which makes this unviable. A sad state of affairs as I miss my monthly social chat. This may change and any member is welcome to amend this current position with the appropriate measures.
- Showers and toilets. To remain closed for now. Again, it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth to calculate the processes of cleaning the facilities when we come and go in our cars back home for sanitation purposes. The toilets may open are are subject to an assessment next week. Members’ opinions are always welcome.
- Risk assessment. HSE have provided some direction with this.
- Viral transmission: Avoid congregating closely in groups. Our activities are all outdoors which makes transmission minimal risk at 1+ metres. Avoid close proximity during runs.
- Vulnerable conditions: Members with medical conditions may choose not to attend club meetings at present, but the processes currently in place are not expected to increase risk of transmission than usual outdoor activities in the presence of non-bubble public. Members are welcome to discuss any concerns in confidence with the Chairman. It is advised you have an annual flu jab.
- Potential exposure: Running in small groups keeping social distancing is expected to have negligible risk of exposure. Obviously, avoid close face to face contact and watch where you’re spitting!
- Reducing risk: At present we have not sanctioned indoor social activities because of the limitations of group numbers (six or less).
- Injuries: Running in a group during a club activity is always preferable to running alone. If a member sustains an injury and can make it back to the clubhouse it is everyone’s duty to accompany that person to safety; make a decision regards who stays and continues on. If unable to continue it is appropriate for another group member to collect the injured runner in their car; with this in mind you should keep a clean/unused mask in your cars as well as your own for this purpose. We don’t expect members to let us know in advance if they intend to injure themselves!
This guidance is expected to be fluid with any updates posted on the ADRC-News group. Comments appreciated.
Welcome back! ADRC Committee x