Tadcaster Harriers Running Club

Covid-19 Status Update

Author: Dave Mullaney   |  Jul 29, 2020

The year is now past the half waypoint and we still see no light at the end of the tunnel as far as a return to ‘normal’ run groups and competition. Whilst ever there is a chance of an increase in infection rates again, it is likely to remain as it is.

It has been a while since the last communication with members about the situation. Meanwhile there has been further communication from England Athletics, so we thought it was the right time to update our communication to members.

The last communication from England Athletics was on 17th July. This last communication was in line with government guidelines and can be summarised as follows:

• Clubs, groups and coaching/leading activity can now take place in unlimited numbers if it is within a Covid-19 secure environment, otherwise the limit of groups of six (including a coach or leader) remains. Each coach is able to train 12 people at one time so in a club/running group setting, multiple coaching/training groups can be run if the requisite number of coaches/leaders are present.
• Informal activity or that outside the Covid secure environment must still be within two household units or groups of no more than 6.
• Social distancing and hygiene is still to be maintained and is key within a training involvement.

The key point for Tadcaster Harriers is what constitutes a Covid-19 secure environment?

Potentially where we run and train could be considered / assessed as a Covid-19 secure environment if we put an action plan in place that covered many aspects such as ‘track and trace protocols’ communication with all interested parties, maintaining social distancing etc. However, we must consider member safety, safety of the public and our reputation within the community. Therefore, we have taken the stance that we are not training in a Covid-19 secure environment and will continue to limit the number of members running together to 6 for the time being.

We would like to thank members for their understanding during this period and for their enthusiasm with the events that have and are being held, including the recent introduction of regular training runs.

We will continue to keep you informed of further developments as and when they change through the webpage, emails and our social media pages.

Further information can be found on the England Athletics Webpages Here

Corona Virus - Club Statement 17th March 2020

Author: Dave Mullaney   |  Mar 17, 2020

Following on from the latest UK Government Guidelines, issued on the 16th March, England Athletics have today issued the following statement:

"The UK government has advised that everyone in the UK should now avoid “non-essential” travel and contact with others to fight coronavirus.  Whilst it has not issued any ban on public gatherings of any size either indoors or outdoors at this stage, the advice is to avoid non-essential contact with others, including going to sporting events, pubs, clubs, theatres and social venues.

As a result, England Athletics advises that 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 should be suspended until at least the end of April.

The decision has been taken in the interests of athletes, runners, officials, coaches, volunteers, supporters and the wider athletics and running communities. This decision is also in alignment with actions taken by the home country athletics federations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and is similar to action taken by other sports.

Where possible, athletes and runners at all levels are encouraged to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time, while following government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments.

England Athletics will continue to review and monitor government advice and will provide detailed updates on the impact to our sport in the coming weeks. We appreciate that the current situation will undoubtedly place our member clubs in a difficult situation and we are working with UKA and the other Home Country Athletics Federations on the best way to help alleviate the situation and will update you as plans evolve.

Social distancing and advice

Social distancing measures (as defined by Public Health England as spending more than 15 minutes and within a 2-metre distance talking to someone) are now advised not only if we test positive or have symptoms, but in day to day life.  As well as current travel advice, the current UK government is advising anyone with a “new, continuous” cough or high temperature and those they live with need to self-isolate for 14 days.

• Click here for NHS advice on infection control
• If you have symptoms, please follow the government’s advice, click here.

At Risk groups

The latest advice from the government’s chief medical adviser is that those over 70 currently do not need to be self-isolating. However, in the coming days, every Briton over the age of 70 and those in at-risk groups over the age of 70 will be advised to be “largely shielded from social contact” for 12 weeks to help protect themselves. Those with underlying medical issues such as high blood pressure, lung complaints and weakened or compromised immune systems are more likely to develop serious illness as a result of the disease.

Anyone with a higher risk from viruses such as cold or flu should take sensible steps to reduce the risk of picking up infections. NHS advice on infection control can be found here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ and is summarized below:

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
• use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services

If you have symptoms, please follow the government’s advice, click here.

Courses

All qualification and development courses have been postponed.  Everyone who has booked onto a course will be sent an email asap informing them of the postponement and will be able to defer their booking.

Where we can, we will attempt to continue with education via online methods (e.g. webinar, Skype etc). However, this may not be practically possible for all activities. Where not, the aim will be to re-schedule courses to a later date wherever feasible.

Qualifying races

We are currently undergoing a contingency planning process for qualifying races and will keep everyone updated as soon as possible.

Road Races

We will be working with our partner runbritain to coordinate a communication detailing appropriate advice and guidance to road race organisers in the immediate future.

Competitions

No emergency services will attend large gatherings so it is unavoidable that competitions will now be suspended until at least the end of April.  We are in contact with event organisers to find suitable alternative dates within the competition calendar and the our cancellations page link is kept up to date: www.englandathletics.org/cancellations

This page can be accessed any time using www.englandathletics.org/coronavirus"

This means that until further notice, all Tadcaster Harriers training sessions are suspended.

Please keep an eye on our FB page and your emails for further updates.

Best regards

The Committee of Tadcaster Harriers

John Nettleton

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Oct 27, 2019

Tadcaster Harriers are very sorry to note the passing of founder member John Nettleton who died last week, a few months short of his 80th birthday. He had been in failing health for some little time. 

John was one of a group of very keen and talented runners who formed the Harriers in 1983.

John was the club’s first Yorkshire Champion winning the over 40s race in the Yorkshire Veterans cross country championships in 1987, and was also a member of the bronze medal winning team in that race along with Will Allan, Martin Overton and Bill Humphreys.

He was also a member of the Harriers’ team that placed 5th (and 3rd British team) in the prestigious European 25k championships in Bruges, running 1 hour 29 minutes, which is 5 consecutive sub 18 minute 5ks. That event attracted the best clubs from all over Europe.

He was a sub 2.45 marathon runner and was the first over 40 veteran in the first 5 Tadcaster 10-mile road races from 1983 

John was a very talented all-round sportsman. As well as being an extremely good runner he was also an excellent rugby player and an accomplished horseman.

He was a very kind, friendly and modest man and was always happy to offer advice and encouragement to those of us runners who were attempting and failing to get anywhere near the running standards he could achieve. He is pictured here after winning the veteran’s trophy at the Kirk Deighton 10-mile race in 1986.

The club sends its condolences to John’s wife Dorothy, his daughters Alison and Susan and his stepchildren Nick, Sarah and Catherine.

The funeral will be held at 2 pm on Thursday the 31st October at St Mary’s Church Tadcaster

Mark Swinden

Club Champions 2019

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Oct 2, 2019

We are pleased to announce that the club champions for 2018/19 are Liz Mould and Ryan Kavanagh, with Jo Millican and Andy Sloan as runners up. They will receive trophies at the dinner along with those coming in 3rd- Abi Carter and Paul Dykes. Congratulations to all of them.

Results on these links: Club Championship (Women) and Club Championship (Men)

Dawn to Dusk Challenge (Duncombe Park)

Author: Lianne Dayson   |  Sep 10, 2019

Sunday the 8th of September saw Cara and I taking on Grim up Norths, Dawn to Dusk Challenge as a duo. It was an early 4am wake up call to get to a very picturesque and hilly Duncombe park for a 6am start. 

We went into it as a training run for our ultra in October and really only needed 18 miles each. However our strategy of running the 3 mile route at under 30 mins each time so that we could tag the other in straight after to run worked really well and we ended up doing 27 miles each bringing our total to 54 miles in 8hrs 39mins. Cara had to rein me in as I was going to go again! 

It was also great that Andy Mason, Paul Storr and Ian Saynor were all there running the event. Ian doing a solo run and doing 24 miles in total after having no sleep camping in very cold conditions the night before. 

Cara and I came 1st female pair and 2nd overall only being beaten by our fellow Tadcaster Harriers..... Andy and Paul who did a combined total of 72 miles. 

The event was absolutely fantastic, the route was tough but so enjoyable with stunning views. The organisers went above and beyond with all the food, drink and support. Great event that we will be doing again next year. 

Lianne

Club Handicap Champion 2019

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Sep 5, 2019

The Joe Knowles 5.1 mile handicap which took place last week, and was won by Sally Polkey, was the last handicap of the current series. Each race is a separate event and the final race has its own trophy dedicated to Joe which will be awarded to Sally at the dinner in November.

The results of each race (after handicap adjustments) are aggregated over the year and an overall winner is declared. We are pleased to announce that the overall winner is Paul Dykes, with Denise Robinson a very close second and Ian Ward third. They will each receive a trophy at the club dinner. The results are based on handicap position in the best 7 races out of the 9 each year. Congratulations to all the trophy winners. 

Here is a link to the results: Handicap Championship Results 

Once again, huge thanks again to Mike Smith for timing and results, Mark Swinden for organising all of the races and to everyone else who has contributed by marshalling, timing, etc.

Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday 22rd September for the start of the 2019/20 competition - the Old Street Loop (start and finish at Lawtons)