The latest edition of the Stopwatch Times is available in the Members/Stopwatch Times area of the website.
You can also find a selection of back issues of the Stopwatch Times going back to 2006.
The latest edition of the Stopwatch Times is available in the Members/Stopwatch Times area of the website.
You can also find a selection of back issues of the Stopwatch Times going back to 2006.
It is now clear from the latest England Athletics (EA) guidelines, dated 24th February, that we can resume outdoor training from the 29th of March.
EA have continued to support the concept of a Covid-19 secure environment in which groups of unlimited number are allowed for a training session organised by a coach. However, 2 metre social distancing should be maintained at all times wherever possible. We are satisfied that our track is a Covid-19 secure environment provided that everyone brings their own hand sanitizer and or wipes and complies with the following rules.
All participants must be health screened (you will be asked to self-declare your health when attending a training session):
You must not take part in activity if you have been instructed to self-isolate (following a positive COVID-19 test, contact with a confirmed case or international travel)
or have any of the following symptoms:
All attendees at a training session will be registered for Test & Trace purposes.
It is clearly not possible to have an unlimited number of athletes at the track, however there can be multiple groups at the track at any one time viz:
OR
It seems unlikely that the maximum number of distance runners can exceed 35 whilst still complying with the rules. It is the responsibility of the coaches and or group leaders to determine the safe number within this limit as it is likely to be dependent on the type of session. It will be a challenge for the coaches to determine how to accommodate adults and children on the track at the same time.
The track booking system will operate as before whereby members check the track calendar on the club website (www.paddockwoodac.co.uk/calendar/category/track-bookings/ ) and, having chosen a desired 1 hour time slot, email Mike Ridger (mike.ridger@outlook.com) before 5pm of the day before with the names of the attendees. to confirm the booking. He will confirm that the session is available or, if not, suggest alternatives. On a user’s first booking he will be required to complete the EA Covid-19 Risk Assessment.
We have now been able to arrange with Mascalls school that we can use the front section of the school to park for our Tuesday & Thursday training sessions, this is the area just inside the main entrance gates. Please park considerately to ensure that we can fit all members in that need this space. There will be no toilet facilities available at Mascalls School or at Putlands and the gates to Putlands car park will be shut. It may still be advisable to walk to the track if you live in Paddock Wood. All members should still meet at the track, unless advised otherwise by coaches.
For full details of the EA guidance see https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/category/coronavirus-updates/
Please be aware that hammer and discus throwing sessions are being coached every Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 5:00pm and 6:00pm.
For Health and Safety reasons the track cannot be used whilst throwing is taking place.
All member are asked to be aware of this restriction and that entry to the track is forbidden during these times. This restriction will be lifted when the works to the Throws Cage has been completed.
As you re all doubtless aware we are now restricted to meeting one other person from another household for a run. The club will keep us updated as and when this rule changes.
Whilst this restriction remains in place why not contact another club member for a run during this latest lockdown phase, they may appreciate the invitation.
John Tolhurst
PWAC Road Running Rep.
As you can see from the results section Steve, Kelly and Elspeth were the first to try one of Nice Works new race format under their Covid restricted guidelines.
Kelly has kindly written a race report below.
Well the course was a tough one – very hilly, but so well organised. Staggered start times, every 5 mins 10 people went off. Not many people entered so we had some gaps in between too which helped parking and toilets etc. Our temp was taken before we were allowed through to be called to the start line, we then were called forward individually and had to stand on an allocated spot which was 2 metres apart from the others in the group and then we were told to start. They placed the faster runners at the front so no problems over taking etc. At the toilets we were all given a antibacterial wipe to use for handles and door etc and they were well stocked with anti bac gel. Only 1 water station on the course for those doing the 10 miler which involved a table of water bottles that you picked up yourself and the same again after the finish. To be honest everyone took their own supplies so wasn’t needed, but good to see some if you did forget. Medals will be sent out after the event in the post and no loitering afterwards.
Although it was a completely different atmosphere as you would expect and it wasn’t very busy, the marshals were fab, you felt safe and at no point did you feel as though you were putting yourself at risk. It was just so nice to be involved in an event again and take part in something that was so well organised, we will definitely go to another.
For anybody interested after reading Kelly’s update Nice Work are organising further events of this type at Rye, Folkestone and Tunbridge Wells in September with further events planned. See the Nice Work website for details.
John Tolhurst
PWAC Road Running Rep
John Tolhurst
PWAC Road Running Rep.
The attached documents have been updated to reflect the changes to EA Guidance dated 4th August.
Please read the documents which describe the rules and regulations from EA and the Government that are applicable to PWAC together with some of our own that we have had to impose. The main track gate is fitted with a combination padlock. Please lock the gate after entry and exit to prevent unauthorised access. When making a booking you will be told the code for the combination padlock. If you have any queries regarding the booking system please email these to mike.ridger@outlook.com
Please ensure you follow the sanitising rules, these are for yours and others safety.
Kind regards,
Richard Harris
With the introduction of Lockdown 2 from 5th November the track is now closed.
England Athletics has launched the Weekly30 Run Challenge – a free weekly virtual running challenge that encourages runners to compete each weekend whilst also enabling competition between clubs/groups and sports.
![]() | Are you ready to represent your club and sport in a new virtual running competition? If so, sign-up for the new @EnglandAthletics Weekly30 Run Challenge – a free weekly virtual running challenge encouraging runners of all levels to compete for 30 minutes each weekend (following government guidelines) whilst also enabling competition between clubs and different sports. You’ll be competing against an online community of other runners from across the country – the competition will be fierce and the pride of your club and sport is at stake! Every runner counts – find out more and sign-up at: https://bit.ly/Wk30Run |
Liz and Janine have created some circuit training videos to help us keep fit during the current situation. There are currently 33 videos in the playlist – accessible from the menu in the top right hand corner of the Youtube window.
If you have any videos you’d like to add to the list, please let us know.