Warm welcome from athletes as more restrictions are eased
THE LATEST update from Athletes Ireland regarding further easing of lockdown restrictions has been welcomed by Wexford athletes.
The relaxations permit ‘an increase in the size of outdoor training groups to fifteen and an extension to the distance one can travel to train - within one’s county of residence or up to 20 km from home, whichever is further’.
The precautions that were in place regarding hygiene, safe-distancing and avoiding group training if unwell remain in place. Juvenile athletes must be aged at least 13 to attend club training.
Athletics Ireland goes on to give details of other guidelines to which clubs and athletes should continue to adhere:
Athletes to arrive as close as possible to when they are due at training and, once training has ended, to depart promptly;
Athletes to arrive togged out and ready to train as there will be no access to dressing-rooms during this phase;
Club toilet facilities will not be available to athletes during this phase;
Only one parent/guardian should accompany younger athletes;
For interval training, athletes to start in approximate order of ability, with the fastest athlete going first so as to minimise overtaking and to maintain safe distancing;
Ensure equipment is cleaned thoroughly after use;
Athletes recovering from Covid-19 should seek medical advice prior to returning to training;
Athletes who attend training and who subsequently become unwell should first contact their GP, familiarise themselves with the HSE guidelines, and then inform their club.
Wexford athletes will be only too happy to get back to group training with their clubmates.
Expect to see a bit more action at the track at the Enniscorthy Hub, notwithstanding the fact that there will likely be no track and field season this year.
Expect also to see distance athletes heading out on their favourite running trails around the county, trails that have, up to now, been outside the permitted travel distance from home.
On the subject of trails, we will, in the weeks ahead, take a look at some of the best off-road places to train in County Wexford.
This time last year, Wexford’s Senior athletes were getting ready for the Mr Oil Senior road championships in Murrintown.
Jackie Carthy of Kilmore took the women’s title ahead of Croghan’s Clodagh Kelly in second, with Nicola Murphy of United Striders third.
Croghan were top team, ahead of United Striders in second and S.B.R. third, with both of the latter teams finishing on the same points.
Ger Forde of Slaney Olympic won the men’s ten km race, with Niall Sheil (St. Killian’s) second and Enda Cloake of Slaney Olympic third.
United Striders took the team title just ahead of Slaney Olympic, with both teams scoring 24 points. S.B.R. took the bronze.
At the same time, our Juvenile athletes were preparing for the Leinster track and field championships.