COVID UPDATE: CLUBHOUSE REOPENING AND MONDAY TRAINING

Following the lifting of lockdown we are in position to resume training and the reopening of the clubhouse and track.

As you are no doubt aware, however, the North East has been placed within the highest tier of restrictions, Tier 3, and it is of paramount importance that we follow the guidance presented by England Athletics in their most recent statement. Can we please ask all members to check this guidance themselves. 

The key point for us as a club is that training in groups of over 6 is only permitted in outdoor, organised group-coached sessions. Sorry to be a killjoy, but nor should there be any socialising before and after sessions. 

The clubhouse will therefore reopen for training on Monday 7th December. The track is now also open again. 

Can we again remind all athletes and parents of the following:

• Do not attend training if you have any symptoms of Covid: specifically, a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. With so many other viruses going round at this cold time of year though, it is probably wise to avoid training altogether if you are at all under the weather. 

 

• Coaches need to know in advance of training of your attendance; this is to help manage numbers and for the purposes of Track and Trace if necessary. Please: liaise with your coach!

 

• Turn up as close to the designated time for your training group as possible. For young athletes, these are: Mark Brown’s group, in Mark’s absence, 7pm to meet Neil who will be looking after you; Paddy Paulsen, 7pm; Neil MacAnany’s own group, 7.15pm; Mike Bateman, 7.30pm. 

 

• Please avoid coming into the clubhouse unless absolutely necessary - for example to use the toilet. Do not come in to socialise with friends. Stay outside unless it is very wet (see below). 

 

• If it is wet, athletes arriving by car should aim to stay in the vehicle until the time of their training session. Athletes arriving on foot should socially distance in the clubhouse, using the changing rooms if necessary. 

 

• When moving to training areas, runners should aim to distance appropriately and show care and consideration to members of the public. 

 

• All athletes should wear some form of highly visible apparel in the dark nights. It is no good running to the training area, removing this, and then not being noticed in the dark!

The club has worked hard to get the track open once again. Please make sure you have informed your coach of your presence there if you are going. Do not just turn up. One toilet will now be open at the track. Can athletes please only use this if it is necessary to do so and respect the following procedures: one in, one out only; no personal possessions to be left inside – it is a toilet only, not a storage area for e.g. mobile phones; hands to be sanitised on entry and exit; coaches to clean all door handles on opening and closing the facility. 

We thank athletes and parents once again for all of your support and cooperation in these challenging times.​