WCAC Newsletter #267, 02-04-20
HELP AND SUPPORT
Anyone requiring help and support while self-isolating can contact the local council hotline number of 0300 123 7031.
This is a dedicated hotline number for those self-isolating and who don’t have anyone to help. A call to this number will provide help organising food or medicine deliveries, or some sort of social contact. The number for the most in need is 0300 123 7031. It is open Monday to Sunday (8am-7pm).
ALSO – Please feel free to ring me (Dennis) if you want a chat or need any help or support. My numbers are: 0151 201 1254 and 07968 643038.
CHALLENGING TIMES
This week should have seen the club organising the pre-season Track and Field Trials, hosting the Year 7 Cheshire v Merseyside Schools Cross Country Races, and preparing to host the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race which was scheduled for Wednesday, April 8.
But all of these fixtures have fallen victim to the Covid-19 crisis and we are faced with weeks and months of trying to adapt to drastic changes due to restrictions and guidance from the Government.
Many Club members have been finding ways of staying fit and healthy – using indoor treadmills, participating in a standing long jump competition, and following online exercise classes.
England Athletics have now told Clubs to suspend all face to face activity such as club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face to face meetings, athlete camps, running groups, and social events until the end of May.
But please stay upbeat and pass on your ideas and initiatives to help everyone stay fit and healthy in these unprecedented times. And please forward your contributions to me by email: [email protected]
I hope you enjoy this issue of the Club Newsletter and hope you can all play your part in communicating and sharing your thoughts and ideas during this lull in Club training and competition.
VIRTUAL NATIONAL ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The England Road Running Association (ERRA) relays, scheduled for Sutton Park, Birmingham on Saturday (4 April), are the first national road running championships to be called off due to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, thanks to modern technology, there will be a record ‘entry’ this year for a virtual competition to discover the top club teams.
This year’s virtual road relay can be entered by any club athlete here:
- Clubs must ensure they can field at least 12 men and/or 6 women before entering.
- Individuals enter themselves via Open Track β no limits on numbers per club.
- Entries will close at 23:59 on Friday 3 April.
- Qualifying runs of 5K must be completed by 23:59 on Wednesday April 8th.
- Strava segments must be uploaded by 12:00pm on Thursday April 9th.
- One performance per athlete and no significant negative elevation permitted!
The results will be based on 12-to-score (men and women) with an additional women’s six ‘stage’ result in line with the normal relay format. Organisers have emphasised that social distancing rules must be observed, participants must run solo, avoid busy locations (such as your usual parkrun route) and must not drive to a favoured location for their run.
ONLINE ATHLETICS WEBINARS
England Athletics are offering a variety of online webinars of interest to athletes, coaches, officials, parents, and fans of the sport we all love.
The link to the updated list of webinars covering Throws, Sprints, Endurance Running, Jumps, Steeplechase, Race Walking, Pole Vault, Combined Events, and Running Drills can be found here and here.
STAYING FIT AND HEALTHY
There are a range of websites offering a range of advice on exercises we cando while confined indoors.
MIND provides a series of workouts here.
Joe Wicks has become a household name with his daily online morning workouts, which can be found here:
Sport England is offering tips, advice and guidance on how to stay active around the home on this link.
Youth Sport Trust is providing healthy tips including a series of 60-second Challenges on this link.
Realbuzz has provided 10 strengthening exercises for runners which can be found here.
FIXTURES CANCELLED
The Under 13/Under 15, and Under 17/Under 20 Youth Development Track and Field League have cancelled this seasons fixtures.
The Cheshire Track and Field Season has been formally cancelled. League secretary Alan Johnson emailed to say: “It is sad that we have had to do this but the circumstances of the current crisis makes it impossible to carry on. Of the clubs who have responded 13 were in favour of cancelling with just 2 wanting to continue. The four officers also back cancelling the league for 2020.”
The Welsh Castles Road Relay and the first two Wirral Seaside 5k Races have both been cancelled.
GREAT MEMORIES…
If you want to bring a smile to your face then I’d recommend casting your mind back to the 2012 Olympics and looking at these three links. Enjoy!
ITβS GOOD TO TALK
Members and parents are reminded to look at the following links for updates about any Club training sessions being cancelled due to adverse weather conditions:
FACEBOOK: West Cheshire AC, West Cheshire AC Road Running, West Cheshire AC Jnr to U20 Middle Distance Group
WEBSITE: www.westcheshireac.co.uk
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/westcheshireac
