ATHLETICS

platform is merely speculation.

The Parkrun authorities will continue to concentrate on government announcements in the hope restrictions will be lifted .

They, however, last week welcomed an announcement from Welsh Government First Minister Mark Drakeford, allowing more than one session per day of exercising.

But as previously announced, owing to social distancing, no Parkrun events in the United Kingdom will be staged either this month or during June.

Another reason is because there’s a chance of exceeding participation levels for public gatherings at any given time.

Hopefully, as time marches on, the world’s understanding of coronavirus will be different along with what society feels about it.

“To reiterate on a previous statement, Parkrun Global will maintain a cautious approach to any events reopening, and it will only happen once any specific country issues public health guidelines comfortably allow it to do so,” said Parkrun Global Chief Operating Officer Tom Williams.

He added: “We have to protect a dedicated team of volunteers – but together we’ll get through the coronavirus crisis.’’

FOLLOWING recent guidance, the Competition Strategy Group (CSG) of the UK Athlete Commission last week. in the light of coronavirus issued an update on progress being made towards competitions being staged behind closed doors.

During these unprecedented times, it’s become increasingly difficult to protect the 2020 fixture-list, and already many events have been lost. The CSG remain committed to working with competition providers, the Home Counties Federations and Athletics Athletes Commission.

And they are continuing to meet remotely in light of recent government announcements to provide a competition framework at all levels.

In the light of recent updates from the Global Unit, there is still a possibility that National Championships and global meetings can be staged this year.

As athletics is classed in the good health and wellbeing category and domestic competitions play a major role in the sport, it will form a high priority to get events going again as soon as possible.

EVERYDAY in the United Kingdom, 600 people develop dementia - and at the moment there’s no cure for the disease.

But Running Down Dementia is on a mission to change that via sponsored running, walking or jogging, as much as possible towards a closing date of August 31, 2020.

It’s hoped that this can play a major part in bringing about life-changing treatment for dementia sufferers.

Distances can be down to the individual participant, and runners of all abilities are being invited to participate in the Running Down Dementia initiative.

Together dementia can be stopped in its tracks, and it will give hope to the 34 million people around the world that are currently affected by the disease.

And if £400 or more is raised, the individual will receive a free Running Down Dementia t-shirt to raise awareness of their money-raising efforts for the charity.

Further details are available via www.thetreblechallenge.org