This is now week 6 of the return to Club Night and everything so far is going to plan. We have Groups ready to go at 7pm on the dot so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55. The top car park is marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers) Go direct to your Group area to meet your Leader and have your name taken for track & trace. Once you have a group together and a Leader then have your Group photo taken then go. There are 9 exits from around the Leisure Centre you can choose.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating due to potential exposure to Covid? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Run in groups of no more than 12 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.

********************************************************************************************
1. Run Group Sizes
England Athletics have relaxed the ruling on the maximum number of runners in a Group. As we have now successfully tested our Thursday Club Night in a COVID-secure environment and, in-line with EA recommendations, we can now increase the maximum run group size from 6 people to 12 people (a Leader plus 11)
“Each coach/leader 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.” https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/guidance-update-for-restricted-return-to-activity-for-coaches-leaders-athletes-runners-and-facilities-step-3/

2. Tuesday Night sessions
Based on the same principles we have adopted for the return of the Thursday night run we will aim to bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from 22nd September. There will be the usual three Groups – Efforts, fastish 5k and steady 5k from the top car park at the Leisure Centre at 19.00. (Basically everything as we used to do on a Tuesday!)
We just need to set-up an initial list of people who are likely to turn up on a Tuesday to help with track & trace if necessary. If you plan to attend on a Tuesday night please send an e-mail to membership@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk so we have an idea who may turn up. (this does not commit you to be there on a Tuesday)

3. Group Leaders
As we now have a full session back on a Thursday and will have, from 22 Sept, also on a Tuesday we need more leaders. This is particularly for the 8,9, 11 min and 5k Groups. If you know your way around the area and are prepared to lead a Group occasionally please see Kevin Wood.

4. Return to using an inside room at the Leisure Centre
**Please respond to the Doodle Poll ** https://doodle.com/poll/wnf5sq7fmek5vziu
Clearly the Filnore Suite room that we used to use on a Thursday is not suitable for use under the present covid circumstances. The Leisure Centre have offered us use of the much larger Severnside Suite – three times the size of the Filnore Suite with space for 100 people & with separate entrance/exit. Your Committee would like to hear Members views on the principle of using an inside room on a Thursday as we used to. Would you be comfortable meeting inside using the Severnside suite? If you get the opportunity please go and have a look at the Severnside Suite. Please complete the Doodle Poll and/or let any Committee Member know your view about meeting in there. We will be making a decision on Tuesday 15th September so please make your views known before then if possible.

5. AGM, renewal of Membership & annual subs
If you remember back in March we deferred everything and extended everyone’s Membership until October. We will be having a Committee Meeting on Tuesday 29th September when we will have to address these issues and decide what we are going to do next. If you have any views or comments please speak to any Committee Member over the next few weeks.

6. Park Runs
Park Runs are expected to be back across the UK by the end of September. No more details are available at present.

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk
Arthur Renshaw

For one week only the 11 min Group will be setting off at 18.30 this week. Everyone else at 19.00 as normal

We are now four weeks in and everything is going to plan on a Thursday. We have Groups of 6 ready to go at 7pm on the dot so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55. The top car park is marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers) Go direct to your Group area to meet your leaders and have your name taken for track & trace. Once you have six people and a Leader have your Group photo taken then off you go. There are 9 exits from around the Leisure Centre so no bunching.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Follow public guidance for health
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.

********************************************************************************************
1. Tuesday Night sessions
Based on the same principles we have adopted for the return of the Thursday night run we will aim to bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from 22nd September. There will be the usual three Groups – Efforts, fastish 5k and steady 5k from the top car park at the Leisure Centre at 19.00. (Basically everything as we used to do on a Tuesday!)

2. Group Leaders
As we now have a full session back on a Thursday and will have, from 22 Sept, also on a Tuesday we need more leaders. This is particularly for the 8,9, 11 min and 5k Groups. If you know your way around the area and are prepared to lead a Group occasionally please see Kevin Wood. As from October it appears that all Leader in Running Fitness (LIRF) courses will be only available on-line.

3. Return to using an inside room at the Leisure Centre? (see separate e-mail questionnaire on this issue)

**Please respond to the Doodle Poll sent to you last Friday regarding Club Night meetings**
>https://doodle.com/poll/wnf5sq7fmek5vziu

Clearly the Filnore Suite room that we used to use on a Thursday is not suitable for use under the present covid circumstances. The Leisure Centre have offered us use of the much larger Severnside Suite – three times the size of the Filnore Suite with space for 100 people & with separate entrance/exit. Your Committee would like to hear Members views on the principle of using an inside room on a Thursday as we used to. Would you be comfortable meeting inside using the Severnside suite? If you get the opportunity please go and have a look at the Severnside Suite. Please complete the Doodle Poll and/or let any Committee Member know your view about meeting in there. We will be making a decision in two weeks on 8th September so please make your views known before then if possible. Thank You.

4. AGM, renewal of Membership & annual subs
If you remember back in March we deferred everything and extended everyone’s Membership until October. We will be having a Committee Meeting on Tuesday 29th September when we will have to address these issues and decide what we are going to do next. If you have any views or comments please speak to any Committee Member over the next few weeks.

5. Cross Country
England Athletics updated the info on XC events 28th August. Licenced XC events can resume from 17th October. There is a significant possibility that the Gwent League will cancel all fixtures this season but the Gloucester League dates might survive…
Sunday 22nd November 2020
Saturday 12th December 2020
Saturday/Sunday 9th or 10th January 2020
Saturday 27th February 2021

6. Cape Wrath Challenge
Finally a sad note to end on this week. The Cape Wrath Challenge has been going since 2000 and over the years many TRC Members have made the long trip to the farthest point on the north west of mainland UK to run 5 races in a week culminating in the Cape Wrath Marathon and the ceilidh on the Saturday. Next year, in May, was to be the last Cape Wrath but due to covid the local organising Committee have decided to stop now and there will not be any further Cape Wrath Challenges. Judy Mills has done every one and Pete Mainstone has done nearly all over the last 20 years. Those of us who have been there will never forget the warmth and friendship of the Durness community and of all the runners who attended year after year.

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk
Arthur Renshaw

Having resumed the Club Night runs on a Thursday over the last 4 weeks we have been seeing around 30 people attending which leaves a large percentage of the Membership, as yet, not coming back on a Thursday.

Your Committee is trying to find the best way forward and we really need to know your views on what would make you feel comfortable about returning on a Thursday and subsequently what you would feel like about having the use of indoor facilities at the Leisure Centre. So far we have been meeting outside in the car park at 19.00 but as the nights draw in we need to think about what we are going to do as it gets darker and colder.

Everyone has a different comfort level and way of coping with the virus depending upon their personal circumstances, and that’s totally understandable. Some are comfortable with social distance running, whilst others are not. Some people are happy to meet inside, whilst others think this is a step too far.

In order to determine a way forward that works for a majority of the Club Membership we would like to sound out your opinion please:

1. I don’t feel comfortable running at a social distance so won’t be returning until the situation changes.

2. If we continue to meet outside in the Leisure Centre car park on Thursday throughout winter are you:
a. More likely to continue to attend / start attending?
b. Less likely to continue to attend / start attending?
c. Makes no difference to me

3. If we started to meet inside the Leisure Centre for the winter months are you:
a. More likely to continue to attend / stat attending?
b. Less likely to continue to attend / start attending?
c. Makes no difference to me

We acknowledge that the Filnore Suite room that we used to use on a Thursday is not suitable for use under the present covid circumstances – too small, only one way in/out etc. The Leisure Centre have offered us use of the much larger Severnside Suite – three times the size of the Filnore Suite with space for 100 people & with separate entrance/exit. Would you be comfortable meeting inside using the Severnside Suite? If you get the opportunity please go and have a look at the Severnside Suite.

Please confirm your view on the 3 questions above by completing the Doodle Poll here within the next couple of weeks (by 8th Sept): https://doodle.com/poll/wnf5sq7fmek5vziu
Assuming enough Members respond to this poll we should have a much clearer idea on how we move forward with Thursday Club Nights.

We would welcome your thoughts on the above, and any other matters related to keeping the club running (literally and physically) send to membership@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk or speak to any Committee Member. We have to let the Leisure Centre know what we want to do in the next few weeks and we have a Committee meeting in two weeks on Tuesday 8th September so please make your views known before then if possible.

Thank You.

Arthur Renshaw
Chairman

We are now three weeks in and so far everything is going to plan on a Thursday. Based on the last three weeks experience we expect about 30 people to turn up on Thursday. The only problem we foresee is with people who turn up after 7pm. We have Groups of 6 ready to go at 7pm on the dot so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55. The top car park is marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers) Go direct to your Group area to meet your leaders and have your name taken for track & trace. Once you have six people and a Leader have your Group photo taken then off you go. There are 9 exits from around the Leisure Centre so no bunching.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Follow public guidance for health
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.
*********************************************************************

1. Tuesday Night sessions
Tuesday night sessions are under discussion by the Committee at the moment. Once we are happy that Thursday nights are working well we will aim bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from the top car park at the Leisure Centre in September. In the meantime a few of us are doing efforts on a Tuesday in the Mundy PF start at 6pm.

2. Local Races
For those of you who have entered the Severn Bridge 10k please check the website – the Car Parking & Start/Finish area have been moved to this side of the Bridge. The event is still going ahead despite the last minute changes.
The DBMax Westonbirt Sprint Tri on Monday 31st August is also still going ahead.

3. Cotswold Way event – July 2020 Report by Judy Mills.
The Socially Distanced 2020 Cotswold Way Relay was completed throughout the month of July, with Clubs able to enter 10-person teams as usual, or select the 5 northern or 5 southern Stages. There was a lot of interest from Thornbury, which allowed us to enter 8 teams; two teams of Veteran Men (over 40) and six Mixed teams, each of which required a minimum of 2 female runners As on this occasion it wasn’t necessary to declare beforehand who would be running in each team, we were able to submit the fastest times in one Vet and one Mixed team. On the other hand, as usual a few people had to drop out, but we managed to find three quality replacements, though still had 3 No Runner Stages.

Rob Watkins’ team of Vets took 2nd place in their category, Garry Slater having run Stage 7 in under an hour to take his place in the Team which sadly meant Paul Clark and Rob Hopkins had to move aside. With Rob Watkins and Garry were Henry Orna, Martyn Green and Dave Beard, with a Team time of 6:29:48 behind Bath AC’s time of 6:23:10. Another latecomer to the party, Nick Langridge, who commented on his inability to nowadays sprint up the field at the start of Stage 6 (Stroud to Dursley) still ran fast enough to take a place in the second Vet’s team which, with Paul Clarke, Paul Saville, Jim Godden and Moray Sloan came 4th in a total time of 7:07:32, third place having gone to another Bath AC team in 6:58:18.

The best of the rest were slotted first into Laura Orna’s team, who with Ben Bohane, Mitch Ford, Ros Rowland and Dylan Roberts were the fastest Mixed Team in the event with a time of 7:07:10. They were closely followed by Natalie Bennett’s team with Paul Thomas, Ben Foss, Mel Wilson and Adrian Savery in 7:25:12. Hogweed Trotters and BADdocs sARC took 3rd and 4th places, then it was Thornbury again, with Ian Evans, Chris Foley, Emma Barnes, Clare Watt & Kevin Wood 5th in 8:03:53 & Rich Forman, Nancy Harding, Taryn Roberts & Alan Gatling 6th in 8:22:06.

The remaining two teams which, like our 6th placed team, carried a non-runner came in 10th (Kev Cundy, Rob Hopkins, Sarah Newnes & Rebekah Gatling) and 13th (Sonya Bryson, Mike Bennewitz, Kevin Arnold & Judy Mills, which was no disgrace as there were 16 teams in the Mixed category.

The full results, available on event website https://cotswoldwayrelay.co.uk/ show that although we had no Stage winners from Thornbury, we had several 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Out of all the Teams taking part Rob’s Vets were 3rd and Laura’s Mixed 6th. Besides getting Thornbury’s name up there amongst the winning teams, the event gave members a chance to get out and run together-yet-apart and allowed the competitive runners something to aim for. We’d like to think we can do it as usual next year – until then, thank you all from me, for being so enthusiastic and flexible, and stay safe, stay fit.

Judy Mills
19 August 2020

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk

Let’s try and make the Thursday night run a safe and enjoyable experience and please observe the points above – groups of no more than 6 and social distancing wherever possible.

Arthur Renshaw

We are now two weeks in and so far everything is going to plan on a Thursday. Based on the last two weeks experience we expect about 30 people to turn up on Thursday. The only problem we foresee is with people who turn up after 7pm. We have Groups of 6 ready to go at 7pm on the dot so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55. The top car park is marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers) Go direct to your Group area to meet your leaders and have your name taken for track & trace. Once you have six people and a Leader have your Group photo taken then off you go. There are 9 exits from around the Leisure Centre so no bunching.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Follow public guidance for health
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.

*************************************************************

1. Club Virtual Challenge #4 Walk, Run & Quiz
Get ready for the Zoom results call Thursday 20th August @ 9:00pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81252813559?pwd=VmNLWFNlQ1huMDY2bG9rc0hhSWNQQT09
Meeting ID: 812 5281 3559 Passcode: 5cr2iJ

2. Tuesday Night sessions
Once we are happy that Thursday nights are working we will aim bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from the top car park at the Leisure Centre. In the meantime a few of us are doing efforts on a Tuesday in the Mundy PF start at 6pm.

3. Severn Ambulance – race medical support.
You may have missed this during lockdown. As you all know due to Covid 19 we had to cancel both our races (Thornbury 10k & Oldbury 10 Mile) this year which means we didn’t pay Severn Ambulance for medical support. We have used Severn Ambulance for many years and we want to use them again when racing restarts so we agreed to donate the payment for one of our cancelled events direct to them as a token towards their continuation under the present circumstances when they have very little income. We donated £230 from Club Funds. Severn Ambulance were very grateful!

4. Road races going ahead.
All local races have been cancelled or postponed – with three exceptions
• The Severn Bridge 10k scheduled for Sun 30th August. This race is using the Motorway carriageway of the old Severn Bridge and is having a staggered start over 2 hours . The race is full as they cancelled the Half Marathon and offered places on the 10k instead.
• DBMax Castle Combe 10k – Sun 23 August. Run on the closed circuit.
• Swindon Half Marathon – Sunday 20th September. Going ahead apparently!

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk

Let’s try and make the Thursday night run a safe and enjoyable experience and please observe the points above – groups of no more than 6 and social distancing wherever possible.

Arthur Renshaw

Last Thursday seemed to work ok so we intend to do it all again with the same rules again this Thursday. We had 28 people turn up last week and they went off in 6 groups. All Members should have had an e-mail dated 29th July from Kevin Wood, our acting Captain, explaining everything in detail about what we all need to do to recommence Club Night.

Meet Thursday just before 7pm top car park at the Leisure Centre. You can use the toilets but no changing or showers. The top car park is marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers) Go direct to your Group area to meet your leaders and have your name taken for track & trace. Once you have six people and a Leader have your Group photo taken then off you go. There are 9 exits from around the Leisure Centre so no bunching.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Follow public guidance for health
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.
********************************************************

1. Club Virtual Challenge #4 Walk, Run & Quiz
The last Virtual Club Challenge, for the time being anyway, closes on Sunday 16th August. Last few days to take a 10km walk or run and find out some new things about the area! Please send you answers to membership@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk and get ready for the Zoom results call Thursday 20th August @ 9:00pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81252813559?pwd=VmNLWFNlQ1huMDY2bG9rc0hhSWNQQT09
Meeting ID: 812 5281 3559 Passcode: 5cr2iJ

2. Tuesday Night sessions
Once we are happy that Thursday nights are working we will aim bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from the top car park at the Leisure Centre. In the meantime a few of us are doing efforts on a Tuesday in the Mundy PF start at 6pm.

3. The Next Beginners Course.
This has been postponed until 17th March 2021.

4. Road, trail and cross country races.
As everyone knows by now London as a mass participation event has been cancelled as expected. The Elite race will still go on in a closed London park on Sun 4th October. For those keen they can do a virtual marathon on the same day anywhere in the world! All local races have been cancelled or postponed – with one local exception The Severn Bridge 10k scheduled for the end of August. This race is using the Motorway carriageway of the old Severn Bridge and is having a staggered start over 2 hours . The race is full as they cancelled the Half Marathon and offered places on the 10k instead. Entries for the 2021 Bath Half Marathon are now open at https://bathhalf.co.uk/
This year’s Glos League Cross Country events are provisionally scheduled for 22 Nov, 12 Dec, 9 Jan & 27 Feb. Our Riverbank Rollick is still scheduled for Sunday 10th January 2021 using the Castle School as the HQ again.

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk

Let’s try and make the Thursday night run a safe and enjoyable experience and please observe the points above – groups of no more than 6 and social distancing wherever possible.

Arthur Renshaw

It has been a long 2 months since we last sent out a Club Night newsletter! However we are back on Thursday night this week – it will be different and we have to make sure we follow all the guidelines issued by the Government and England Athletics. All Members should have had an e-mail dated 29th July from Kevin Wood, our acting Captain, explaining everything in detail about what we all need to do to recommence Club Night.

Meet Thursday 7pm top car park at the Leisure Centre. You can use the toilets but no changing or showers. The top car park is marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & walkers) Go direct to your Group area for 7.00 to meet your leaders and have your name taken.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19?
(Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Follow public guidance for health
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.

*****************************************************************

1. Club Virtual Challenge #4 Walk, Run & Quiz
Entries close on Sunday 16th August with the winner being announced on Thursday 20th August. The event is open to all club members and their families. It’s about enjoying the locality and answering a few questions along the way, not about your run time. The clues are in clusters, so for these who want to run it you don’t have to keep stopping. You can complete the quiz in one or more walks / runs, or even drive to a different start point. Answers to be submitted to membership@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk by Sunday 16th August.

2. Vice Captain
Acting Captain Kevin Wood has appointed Natalie Bennett as his Vice Captain for the remainder of this year to help organise things.

3. Tuesday Night sessions
Once we are happy that Thursday nights are working we will aim bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from the top car park at the Leisure Centre. In the meantime a few of us are doing efforts on a Tuesday in the Mundy PF start at 6pm.

4. The Next Beginners Course.
This has been postponed until 17th March 2021.

5. Road, trail and cross country races.
We are still waiting for a final announcement on the London Marathon – this is expected Friday 7th August. All local races have been cancelled or postponed – with one local exception The Severn Bridge 10k scheduled for the end of August. This race is using the Motorway carriageway of the old Severn Bridge and is having a staggered start over 2 hours . The race is full as they cancelled the Half Marathon and offered places on the 10k instead. This year’s Glos League Cross Country events are provisionally scheduled for 22 Nov, 12 Dec, 9 Jan & 27 Feb. Our Riverbank Rollick is still scheduled for Sunday 10th January 2021 using the Castle School as the HQ again.

6. Off road running
We have been contacted by South Glos Council regarding runners using fields where there are livestock. A farmer in Oldbury recently lost some sheep after runners had disturbed a flock. There is no suggestion that our Members were involved but please remember to follow the Country code when you are out running in fields where there are livestock.

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk

Let’s try and make the Thursday night run a safe and enjoyable experience and please observe the points above – groups of no more than 6 and social distancing wherever possible.

Arthur Renshaw

This week there has been no change in the official advice from England Athletics – EA have cancelled all activities until 31st May and all Competition until the end of June. The next EA statement is expected in the first week of June when the Government should be making a further announcement and the kids start to go back to school.

What is currently clear is that all local and national events are cancelled and there is no sign of when we might get back to racing. We can’t meet or go for a run as a Group and the Leisure Centre is still closed until further notice. Rumours abound that the London Marathon scheduled for October 4th will not go ahead as a mass participation event – it will be an event for invited elite athletes only.

The official line is that you can now go for a run with one other person as long as you stay 2 metres apart and shout! And you can go open water swimming if you like cold water. (The Trench is open but Cromhall Quarry is still closed)

• TRC Virtual Run Series – May Team Challenge
Don’t forget all runs to be completed by 31st May 2020 and times submitted to membership@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk by that date

• Thornbury 10k (Thurs 16th July)
As TRC Chairman I had discussions with England Athletics and various other South West Clubs last Monday and they agreed with our current position on this race – we will wait to make a decision until first week of June when the Government & EA are likely to have issued further guidance. As you all know this race has sold out and reached its limit of 500 entries.

• Oldbury 10 Miles (Sun 13th Sept)
The former Power Station site has withdrawn permission for us to use the site for the race so we have had to cancel the event. We hadn’t opened the entries for the Oldbury 10 so we don’t have to worry about refunds etc.

• Leaders Courses
We are always looking to add to our Group Leaders for a Thursday night and England Athletics have come up with an idea for an on-line Leaders Course (2 x 1.5 hrs instead of a full day). If anyone would like to go for this the Club will refund the fees. Please contact Kevin Wood in the first instance membership@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk

EA relaunched their Leading Athletics course as a two part webinar-based workshop! Leading Athletics is a great first step into volunteering and leadership. Maybe you’re a club who wants to upskill volunteers ahead of any post-lockdown activity… or you’re an athlete or parent who wants to play a more active role in supporting younger members in future. The course is only £20 for affiliated club members / £30 if non-affiliated and includes 2 x 1.5 hour webinars. Available course dates are 1 & 3 June or 15 & 17 June.

• The Hacket/Crossways Lane
A favourite circuit with TRC Members for a bit of fast paced training will get even safer in the future. The residents are currently being consulted about imposing a 20MPH speed limit on the lanes.

Finally, I have spoken to Pete Mainstone this week and he sends his thanks to all the Club Members who have sent him their best wishes. He was out on an hour’s walk when I spoke to him so he is regaining his strength slowly.
If there are any more changes to the official position or we have any news for you we will post the details on here.
Look after yourselves and keep safe.

Arthur Renshaw,

England Athletics have released some new guidance in response to the changing Government policy. It is primarily to do with Track & Field and it has limited reference to our type of athletic activity.

You can read it for yourself here if you wish to but it doesn’t really add anything to what we already know! There are no dates on anything in the Guidance so we are no wiser about when we may return to meeting,running together (more than 2), or organised races.

https://d192th1lqal2xm.cloudfront.net/2020/05/Guidance-for-Athletes-and-Runners-return-to-activity.pdf

Guidance for Coaches & Leaders a similar Statement
https://d192th1lqal2xm.cloudfront.net/2020/05/Guidance-for-Coaches-return-to-activity-1.pdf

Guidance for Athletic Venues
https://d192th1lqal2xm.cloudfront.net/2020/05/Guidance-for-Athletics-Venues-return-to-activity-1.pdf

Enjoy your read!

I will update you if we get anything relevant from EA.

There is a South Wet Club Forum (Zoom) on Monday night where I might find out what other Clubs are doing under the present lockdown regime. I will keep you posted with anything of note.

Stay Safe and enjoy the weekend weather when you are out for your run with your mate (2 mts apart though!)

Arthur Renshaw