I hope you are all keeping safe and well. I know this has been a difficult time on the athletics front without the knowledge of knowing how much (if any) of a track season we may have left this summer. Yesterday, England Athletics latest statement confirmed the following:
“Extending the suspension of all athletics activity in England to the 31 May. [Initially this had been agreed to the end of April]. This suspension includes all organised athletics activity in the UK, including all formal club activities, running groups, and all Education activity (coach, official, teacher).
Additional suspension specific to athletics competitions in England to 30 June. [Initially this was incorporated into the above overarching suspension to the end of May but the suspension of licensed competition activity has now been extended – announced 29 April 2020]. update confirmed that there would be no athletics meetings throughout June We have recently heard that there will be no competition before June”
Further information here: https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/coronavirus-statement/
As you probably know, many Championship meetings have been cancelled/postponed; Europeans, Anniversary Games, Olympics to name a few.
Closer to home:
Kent leagues for the U13s/U15s – currently remaining: Sunday 5th July and Sunday 2nd August
Kent Club Championships 30th/31st May – cancelled.
Kent Schools Championships – 13th June – cancelled
English Schools Championships – cancelled
YDLs – all fixtures cancelled
SALs – first 3 fixtures cancelled. Currently remaining: Sunday 12th July and Saturday 15th August. If these go ahead will be a on a friendly basis.
Club Open Meetings: currently remaining: Saturday 25th July and Sunday 6th September – to be confirmed once we know more.
Kent Club Relay Championships – currently remaining – Sunday 20th September
Masters League competition currently cancelled until the end of June.
There will still be some events where decisions have not yet been made.
Tips/Advice
Keep to the training sessions as much as you can but do not worry if you fancy doing something else. Running or just getting outside with a family member instead. Make use of the outdoors as well as indoor routines.
Try keeping a training diary (for those that do not already) – to remind you what you have done how you felt – physically and emotionally.
Check in with coaches. A BIG thank you to all our coaches in helping athletes to keep engaged and connected.
If you are feeling a bit low and needing a little motivation – check in with other athletes/friends to see how they are doing. Motivate each other!
Remember to keep training on your own or with family members from your household. Follow government guidelines! Please keep to the advice to keep you and others safe.
If you feel unwell do not train.
There has been lots of training advice and tips from England Athletic so checkout what is on the website: https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/supporting-the-athletics-and-running-family-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/
Keep a check on the Club Facebook page Medway and Maidstone AC and the website https://www.mandmac.org/?LMCL=CQ4x06
Many of our middle/longer distance athletes have been signing up to virtual races. So please look out for these. I usually post any that I hear about on the Facebook page.
At this point we do not know the impact on the Club’s own financial situation. We will advise further on memberships and when/how we can manage this for you but please be patient.
Please keep training!!! We will let you know as we receive more information! The Kent Relay Championships are the 20th September so currently we have events to train for! We may also consider a Club championships or arrange meetings with other local clubs. It is difficult to plan for this currently as it is a ‘wait and see’ situation but we will do what we can once we know that it is safe, and we are allowed to do so.
Please do keep safe and well.
Sarah