Reopening Athletics - State of Play August 2nd 2020

Cautious Progress in ReOpening

state of play august 2nd 2020 Roller Coaster - Snakes & Ladders

Editorial - The contents of this editorial do not necessarily reflect the views of Cork Athletics County Board

It's only been 5 weeks since HSE & AAI Covid-19 Guidelines were extended on June 29th, allowing events of up to 50 persons indoors and 200 outdoors. CIT Track reopened early in July, with the Mardyke Track following suit from July 13th.

Several clubs have held Athletics Summer Camps and, in the past 10 days or so, several Track and Field meets (Leevale AC's two Summer Evening Meets, and West Cork's Juvenile meet), and a road race (Grange-Fermoy AC's 60th Anniversary Bob Burke Fermoy 4 Mile) have been held, all under controlled conditions, in Cork and elsewhere around the country. Further T&F Meets are to be held in Cork, in the coming weeks, with East Cork Division's confined T&F meets this Thursday, and again on Thursday week, and CIT AC's 'Track Night on Monday August 17th.

Its been a learning experience for everyone, with additional layers of work required to comply with HSE and AAI Guidelines. Organising an event was daunting enough before, Covid requirements not only add to the work, but also mean that more people and procedures have become necessary.

Roller Coaster - Snakes & Ladders

As in the image above, it's been a rollercoaster ride since March, but, while it might not satisfy some, we have come a long way. Nevertheless we must proceed cautiously, or we may hit one of those snakes and slide a small bit back.....or maybe a long way.

We have seen, in other sports, both here in Ireland, and abroad, where events have been called off and teams and leagues suspended after individuals, and groups, have tested positive for Covid-19. Sooner or later, this very likely to happen in athletics here. Maybe someone will be asymptomatic...or maybe someone will just keep their mouth shut (or perhaps not!)...hoping to 'Run It Off'.

Taking it as a given that we must protect each other, we must also protect our sport, by doing our utmost to ensure that we don't take short-cuts in reopening, by neglecting aspects of the Covid Guidelines. If we protect our sport, we also protect each other!

Recent T&F Meets & Road Race

Reports, photos and videos from the registered events in Cork are, by and large, positive, with the organising clubs complying with HSE and AAI Guidelines. There were some teething troubles, but something was to be expected .... This has been, and will continue to be, a learning curve - and a sharp one at that - for us all.

Reports, including videos and photos, from events outside Cork show wide differences in Covid Guideline compliance around the country, with some meets doing excellently, while others were abysmal, with little social distance among spectators and organisers, and hugs, handshakes and even spitting - yes! actually caught on camera!

One Unregistered road race (claiming, without foundation, to have European Athletics Running4All 5 Star status) ran in waves, with, apparently no effort to assign people based on finish times, resulting in random finishes, defeating any reason for the wave start. The same event saw a token effort at social distancing athletes for the start, but had those waiting for the next wave bunched together, and with nil social distancing among the organisers.

It is sad to see, on one hand, Athletics Ireland clubs cancelling their events due to their valid Health and Safety concerns, and being 'given grief' from a minority for doing so, and on the other hand, organisers who have no long term commitment to the sport, paying lip service to HSE and AAI Covid-19 Guidelines.

Tale of Two Types of Organiser

Organiser A: Strives to put on a quality event AND meet HSE and AAI Guideline standards
Organiser B: Thinks putting on an event means just Starting a Race, taking race results, and, maybe, putting a bit of an effort into the HSE guidelines.....

Any idiot can put 'a race' on, but it takes an organisation to ensure, even pre-Covid-19, that sufficient safety measures are in place.

First Road Race for Months

Last weekend, Grange-Fermoy AC held the first AAI registered road race in Cork since mid March. Their 60th Anniversary Bob Burke Fermoy 4 Mile was a strictly invitation only event, with a strong 68 athlete field taking part. The event went very well, with the high calibre field running an 'honest race' - normally, with a wide choice, and frequent races available, a common belief is that top athletes 'cherry pick' and avoid each other. Being the first Registered race in over 4 months, the elite field produced both men's and women's course records. A forgotten lesson for everyone - People Excel with Competition!

After the event, Cork Athletics asked Grange Fermoy AC to consider a short report, as an aid to other AAI Event Organisers: What went right...what went wrong...what wasn't done that you'd do next time...what you wouldn't , etc.

Grange Fermoy AC's Advice:

Social distancing was paramount to ensuring the safety of all involved. The following measures were put in place:
1) Limited numbers
2) No chip timing - gun time only.
3) No refreshments
4) A co-ordinated finish line, to ensure athletes dispersed post race.
5) Social distancing markers at the start line, communicated to athletes via email.
6) Limited parking with athletes encouraged to park a couple of miles from the start line, and use the distance as a warm up/cooldown. This avoided congregation at the start line and encouraged dispersal post race.
7) No messing at the start line. Athletes were called to take their socially distant place markings. Following a brief course description, athletes were asked to move forward, and the gun was fired.

Sanitisation was an important factor:
1) PPE. including face masks, were worn by race personnel at the check-in desk.
2) Hand sanitiser was available at key locations.

Screening:
1) As per AAI guidelines, All athletes were required to complete the Covid-19 questionnaire, which ensured that they self-declared fit and healthy, and had followed the guidelines in the weeks leading up to the race.

Grange Fermoy AC feel that the following factors were key:

1) The evening before the race, a trial run over the course, involving approx 30 Grange Fermoy athletes, took place, under the control measures in force for the race proper. This ensured that any kinks were ironed out, and volunteers were familiar with the measures.
2) A small field of athletes was key: The field of 68 athletes was deemed optimum, ensuring a very competitive male and female race, and was also manageable from a control measure perspective.

What would Grange Fermoy do differently next time?
1) Possibly temperature screening
2) Possibly mask wearing by all volunteers and spectators, however it may be difficult to ensure compliance

What's Happening Elsewhere?

Northern Ireland
Events have restarted, mainly track meets, and races largely held in enclosed areas, e.g. race tracks, forest parks etc. Northern Ireland is blessed with an abundance of off-public road venues, which helps enormously, particularly in limiting public/spectator access.

Scotland
Races cancelled for foreseeable future

Wales

Road Races cancelled for foreseeable future

England

Some races going ahead....even in areas bordering the Greater Manchester Major incident!

Reminder of Synopsis of AAI Guidelines - Posted June 24th

So What Do You need to Do?

Firstly, Read the Fecking Manuals!! ....Everyone!!

Road Race Event Organiser Guidelines

Road Race Volunteer, Staff and Marshalls Guidelines

Road Race Participant Guidelines

NB This is only an extract of Key Points!!

Every Event should appoint a COVID-19 Officer, who should have NO Other Responsibility
This person should ensure that all COVID plans are in place, that all race personnel are familiar with and compliant with HSE & AAI guidelines, and that all necessary contact details and waivers have been received from all participants, race personnel, support entities and, literally, everyone present.

On the day
You will need additional signage and operate routes to and from key locations, in such a way as to minimise crowding and contact.

You need efficient and effective communications, via radio or mobile phone

Plenty of hand sanitiser

Ideally no baggage drop.....people should leave all personal belongings in their cars.

All race personnel should be wearing appropriate PPE

Any desks. e.g. Help desk, should have Plexi-Glass screens and NO sharing of pens/biros, or other material.

Toilets
Try to go before you leave home....both race personnel and participants
Minimise contact with surfaces and wash your hands/use sanitiser

Start Area
Only essential race personnel should be in the start area, along with participants.
Where possible, use waves and time zones.

NO PACERS!

Participants ...NO Spitting!! If you need to clear your throat, swallow it! If you need to snort/blow your nose, use a tissue and put it in YOUR pocket, or bin it!

No chopping/jumping in and out and around other runners, and no shoving, pushing etc

Water stations.....Do you really need to take on water? If you're properly hydrated, you probably don't.

Finish Line
Once you've finished, go home, or wait for your colleagues at your car. Do NOT hang around the finish area.

Timing
Hand timing should only be done for very small, and widely spaced finishers. There should be absolutely NO queueing at the finish. Chip timing is recommended, both for timing and also for contact tracing.

Sterile Area
The finish line and immediate surrounds should be a sterile area....in other words, there shouldn't be anyone in the zone who is not essential. In addition, a separate area will be required for anyone in distress, where medical personnel can tend to them.

Spectators
NO spectators should be Present

Marshalls/Stewards
You will need an awful lot more marshalls/stewards/helpers under Covid-19, and these will eat into your overall total numbers. All officials should be readily identifiable