• At level 3, athletics clubs can continue to train in multiple pods of 15.
• Keeping to your pod for a specific session will have an important role in protecting yourself and others and help the speed and accuracy of contact tracers if needed.
• Stick to your pod for warm up, session and cool down.
• No mixing with members from other pods before or after the session i.e. no warm up laps with members from different pods.
• Always fill in the Online Health Screening form on the day of every session you attend and familiarize yourself with pod meet up, bag & water bottle drop off point.

Tracing & Testing

• You can be deemed a close contact by having spent more than 15 minutes of contact within 2 metres of someone who has COVID-19, indoor or outdoor.
• If you are a close contact, contact tracers will advise you to restrict your movements for 14 days. They will also arrange for you to get tested.
• If you test positive and have symptoms they will ask about people and places you have visited 48 hours before your symptoms started and until you started self-isolating.
• If you test positive but do not have symptoms they will only ask about people and places you have visited 24 hours before your test took place and until you started self-isolating.
• Source: https://www2.hse.ie/…/testing/contact-tracing.html…‘

Mardyke Track Protocol

Pods

Please keep within your pod at training sessions. Each pod uses:

• Separate meeting points (place to go to on entering the track/bag & water bottle drop off point)
• Separate warm up/stretches on specific lanes
• Separate lanes for the session

Pod A – using lanes 1,2,3 for warm up and session

Pod B – using lanes 6,7,8 for warm up and session

Pod C – if and when there is a need for Pod C, use lanes 4 & 5.

Once Pod A on inside lanes 1,2,3 move off the start line Pod C can move up from their meeting point to the same start line in lanes 4 and 5 and take off from there.

Pod C will be asked to make their way back to Pod C meeting point between intervals and wait for Pod A to move off the start line before again making their way up to start line where the coach is.

Meeting Point

• Familiarise yourself with the meeting points (please see map).
• Adhere to social distancing guidelines while at the meeting point.
• Members are not to arrive at the Mardyke grounds any earlier than 5 minutes before start time.
• Do not enter the track if another club has a booked session that has not yet finished. Please wait until the other club have left the track.

Entry Point

Enter only by the entry gate highlighted on the map.

Exit Point

Exit only by the exit gate highlighted on the map.

Hand Sanitisation

Members must adhere to hand sanitisation protocol and bring their own hand sanitizer to training sessions.

Dressing Rooms & Toilets

Until further notice dressing rooms will remain closed, however the toilets will be accessible.

Parking

As always there is no parking available onsite at the Mardyke Sports Grounds for track users.

Thank you everybody, you are all podtastic!

Level 3 COVID-19 safety measures will come into place on 7th October 2020.

Summary of Athletics Ireland update:

Key Restrictions at Level 3

• No competition/events.
• Outdoor training pods of up to 15 permitted.
• Stay in your county except for work, education or essential services.

Level 3 Training

• Outdoors: Non-contact training only in pods of up to 15 (exemption for professional/elite/inter-county sports/senior club championship).
• Indoors: Individual training only. No exercise classes.

View the full Athletics Ireland Notice.

Please remember the following safety protocols while training:

• Maintain Social Distancing:
  – Participants should arrive ‘ready to train’ and not require the use of a changing area.
  – Maintain 2 meter distance before and after training and during where at all possible.
  – No unnecessary physical contact, such as high fives, handshakes, fist bumps, elbow taps, hugs or huddles.
• Maintain Hand Hygiene:
  – Carry a bottle of hand sanitizer to the session and use regularly.
• Maintain Respiratory Hygiene:
  – Cough or sneeze into your elbow, or use a tissue where possible which is immediately disposed of.
  – No spitting or clearing the nose in the presence of others.
• Stay at home and not attend training if you feel unwell or are displaying any COVID symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath or loss of smell or taste.

Mardyke Track Protocol

Pods

Please keep within your pod at training sessions. Each pod uses:

• Separate meeting points (place to go to on entering the track/bag & water bottle drop off point)
• Separate warm up/stretches on specific lanes
• Separate lanes for the session

Pod A – using lanes 1,2,3 for warm up and session

Pod B – using lanes 6,7,8 for warm up and session

Pod C – if and when there is a need for Pod C, use lanes 4 & 5.

Once Pod A on inside lanes 1,2,3 move off the start line Pod C can move up from their meeting point to the same start line in lanes 4 and 5 and take off from there.

Pod C will be asked to make their way back to Pod C meeting point between intervals and wait for Pod A to move off the start line before again making their way up to start line where the coach is.

Meeting Point

• Familiarise yourself with the meeting points (please see map).
• Adhere to social distancing guidelines while at the meeting point.
• Members are not to arrive at the Mardyke grounds any earlier than 5 minutes before start time.
• Do not enter the track if another club has a booked session that has not yet finished. Please wait until the other club have left the track.

Entry Point

Enter only by the entry gate highlighted on the map.

Exit Point

Exit only by the exit gate highlighted on the map.

Hand Sanitisation

Members must adhere to hand sanitisation protocol and bring their own hand sanitizer to training sessions.

Dressing Rooms & Toilets

Until further notice dressing rooms will remain closed, however the toilets will be accessible.

Parking

As always there is no parking available onsite at the Mardyke Sports Grounds for track users.

Thank you.

Cancelled due to Level 3 COVID-19 Government Directive.

Munster Novice & U23 XC at Two Mile Borris, Sunday 18th of October 2020.

Host club Moycarkey Coolcroo Athletic Club require all attending athletes and club representatives to read the following information carefully. The document details important notes about:

• COVID Safety measures (pages 25 & 26)
• Schedule/Timetable (page 32)
• Driving, Parking, Entering the Carpark and Leaving (pages 9 to 13)
• Course (page 5)
• Requirement to fill out the Athletics Ireland Covid 19 Screening Questionnaire online.

Full Document Link at MunsterAthletics.com.

The event taking place is subject to Government COVID-19 safety updates.

Please keep within your pod at training sessions. Each pod uses:

• Separate meeting points (place to go to on entering the track/bag & water bottle drop off point)
• Separate warm up/stretches on specific lanes
• Separate lanes for the session

Pod A – using lanes 1,2,3 for warm up and session

Pod B – using lanes 6,7,8 for warm up and session

Pod C – if and when there is a need for Pod C, use lanes 4 & 5.

Once Pod A on inside lanes 1,2,3 move off the start line Pod C can move up from their meeting point to the same start line in lanes 4 and 5 and take off from there.

Pod C will be asked to make their way back to Pod C meeting point between intervals and wait for Pod A to move off the start line before again making their way up to start line where the coach is.

Please remember:

• To bring your own water bottle so as to avoid using the tap on the track.
• No spitting or clearing the nose in the presence of others.

We encourage you to fill out the form as early as you can on the day of a session to ensure you can join your preferred pod.

Safe Return to Training Checklist

All members should review the following checklist before resuming training sessions:

Before

• Ensure that you remain up to date with official COVID-19 information.
• All attendees should, in advance of attending each session, complete Covid Health Screening Questionnaire which acts as a contact tracing form also.
• Ensure that you are following all advice and guidance issued by your National Governing Body of Sport or relevant representative body
• Please do not to carpool, wait in your car or outside the venue until just before the beginning of a practice, warm-up, or game, instead of congregating with others prior to starting.
• Meet no earlier than 5 minutes before training at specific meeting area. Enter via designated entry route.  
• There is no use of shared spaces such as changing rooms, locker rooms, showers permitted.
• Access to the Mardyke Pavilion is for use of toilets and emergency medical assistance only.
• Sanitise your hands before entering the sports grounds.

During

• Maintain social distancing of 2 metres between individuals where possible.
• Stay within the small group of runners you are assigned to by your coach while on the track.
• No spitting or clearing the nose in the presence of others.
• Cover your nose and mouth with your elbow when coughing or sneezing, or using a tissue where possible which is immediately disposed of.
• No unnecessary physical contact, such as high fives, handshakes, fist bumps, elbow taps, hugs or huddles.

After

• Exit via the designated exit route.
• Sanitise your hands on leaving the track.
• Maintain social distancing outside the sports grounds and do not congregate in groups post session.

Thank you everybody!

Cork AAI Cross-Country Championships 2020 will take place over October 4th, 11th, 25th and November 1st (subject to further COVID-19 announcements).

Day 1 – Sunday October 4th
(entries need to be submitted to Gerry before 12.00 Thursday 24th September)

Under 14 Girls, Under 14 Boys, Under 16 Girls, Under 16 Boys, Under 23 Women, Novice Women, Under 23 Men, Novice Men.

Club members need to submit their entry through Gerry Cronin (St. Finbarr’s A.C. Competition Registrar) before 12.00 Thursday 24 September. Please contact Gerry on 086 0226895 to submit your entry.

Day 1, Sunday October 4th, will set the standard to see if Cork Athletics County Board can manage to host the three subsequent Cross-Country Championship meets.

Everyone must take personal responsibility for their own behaviour and do everything that they can to make the event safe for everyone present.

To avoid close contact in the finish area, and remove the necessity for a finishing chute, chip numbers will be used for all races this year. As chip numbers are required late entries cannot be facilitated.

Day 2 – Sunday October 11th

Under 10 Girls, Under 10 Boys, Under 12 Girls, Under 12 Boys, Junior Women, Junior Men Senior Women, Senior Men

Day 3 – Sunday October 25th

Under 13 Girls, Under 13 Boys ,Under 15 Girls, Under 15 Boys, Masters Women, Masters Men

Day 4 – Sunday November 1st

Under 9 Girls, Under 9 Boys, Under 11 Girls, Under 11 Boys, Intermediate Women, Intermediate Men

Cross Country COVID Protocols for Athletes:

Source Athletic Association of Ireland

A Practical Guide for Athletes at Cross Country Competition following the Covid-19 Restrictions

Notes for this document:

The guidelines in this document relate to a return to athletics cross country competition within the current Government and Sport Ireland Covid Expert Group guidelines. This document will be reviewed in line with future government announcements.

Key Notes:

1. Permits competitions limited to 200 people maximum (including officials, athletes, volunteers) where the facility can always ensure adequate social distancing. No spectators are permitted, and the venue must be closed to the public.
2. You must adhere to any domestic travel restrictions in place.
3. Permits individuals to extend their travel beyond their County.
4. If you feel unwell do not present to the competition.
5. If you are recovering from Covid19 seek medical advice prior to attending.
6. PreCompetition
7. During Competition
8. Post Competition

We know that athletics provides great mental and physical health benefits for our society. We have a duty of care to ensure that our competition organisers ensure that we operate within a safe environment.

This practical guide, prepared by our team in consultation with medical experts and in line with Government and World Athletics Guidelines, outlines the robust measures Athletics Ireland strongly recommend competition organisers to implement and maintain to help safeguard all members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow all of us to get back to training safely, improving the wellbeing of members across the country.

Our measures and procedures are under constant review and updated as advice from government, health authorities and governing bodies evolves in line with the gradual lifting of social restrictions.

Pre-Competition

• For involvement in the event, participants must:

o Have entered for the event.
o Not have been off the island of Ireland in the last 14 days.
o Not have been a close contact of someone diagnosed with Covid-19 or someone waiting on a Covid test or test results in the last 14 days.
o Not be in a period of self-isolation and/or cocooning under the current Health Policy Rules.
o Not be displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
o Adhere to any domestic travel restrictions in place.

• Participants must read and understand all notices from the competition organiser, to include:

o Covid-19 specific guidelines.
o Competition specific messages.
o Competitor etiquette (No spitting, no hand shaking etc).
o Venue maps.

• Participants must enter before the competition, no on the day registrations will be taken.

Competition Day

• Athletes must complete a COVID 19 screening questionnaire at check in for the competition.
• To protect against infection;

o Participants must refrain from handshakes, hugs and high fives.
o Keep 2m away from other people at all times.
o Cover their coughs and sneezes.
o Try not touch any surfaces at the event.

• Athletes should arrive ready to participate where possible and as close to the check in time as possible.
• Participants should bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer if possible.
• Wearing of a buff / neck scarf / facemask at all times around the start/finish area, only to be removed and disposed of when the race/event starts.
• Athletes will be told to listen to the instructions of officials regarding keeping a safe distance.
• Toilet etiquette (advised by Dept of health) must be adhered to.
• Adhering to competition ingress and egress plans.
• While warming up athletes should maintain a safe distance from others at all times.
• Athletes should stay away from the public immediately post-race when they are breathing heavier.

Post Competition

• All athletes will be expected to leave as soon as they finish.
• Adhere to egress signage.
• If an athlete becomes unwell after competing, they should first contact their GP and read the HSE guidelines and then inform the Competition Organisers. The Competition organisers will then follow advice provided to them by the HSE on the next steps.

Please remember entries once open must be through Gerry on 086 0226895.

ST FINBARR AC CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING SESSION AT TRAMORE VALLEY, SEPT. 19TH 2020, 10.30-12.30.

• The cross country course at Tramore Valley Park is located on the hill to the east of the main cark park.
• The event provides an ideal opportunity to prepare for the upcoming XC season – to practice running in spikes, to run a fast session over hills, etc.
• There will be 2 races on the day:
  
  • Race 1 over 5km @ approx 11.00 (suggested for sub 19min 5km’ers)
  • Race 2 over 4km @ approx 11.30 (suggested for over 19min 5km’ers)
    

• The course is fully on grass so is suitable for running in spikes. However if you don’t have spikes, you will be able to wear runners also as the outlook for Saturdays weather forecast is good!
• There is another group booked to use the XC course until 10.30, please do not enter the course before then. Warms-ups, etc. before this time can be done around the paths or elsewhere in the park.
• Pre-registration for the event is required through the form below and as standard for all training sessions you need to fill out the online Health Screening Form on the day also.

Please pre-register for the event here:

Registration Form: XC at Tramore Valley Park

See you all Saturday for fun over the hills!

Cheers,
Eoin

Eoin O’Keefe
eoinokeefe321@gmail.com
St.Finbarr’s A.C. Committee

Important Points:

• Sports Ireland and Athletics Ireland have confirmed that all training groups can continue to operate in multiple groups of 15.
• St. Finbarr’s A.C. are continuing with training with a maximum of 30 members attending a session. The session attendees will be split into 2 distinct pods/groups of 15 maximum using different lanes and start points.
• Members are required to complete the health screen form on the day of each session you attend.
• The form will ask you to choose a pod/group. Pod A (sub 7 min threshold pace) or Pod B (over 7 minute threshold pace). If in the case one of the groups is full you will be contacted before the session to confirm your assigned pod. There is no mixing of members between pods before, during or after the session.
• The 30 spaces will be allocated to the first 30 members to fill out the health form.
• We encourage you to fill out the form as early as you can on the day of a session. You will be notified in the case of the 30 people having already being reached.

Please read the updated COVID-Protocols here: http://www.stfinbarrsac.com/covid-protocols-2/

COVID-19 is still with us and we need to be ever vigilant regarding contact tracing, social distancing and hygiene.

With the latest Government announcement on August 18th, outdoor gatherings of a maximum of 15 people are permitted. This measure is to stay in place until at least September 13th.

Training Sessions

• Mondays at 18:00 – Tramore Valley Park
• Wednesdays at 18:00 – Mardyke Track
• Fridays at 18:00 – Mardyke Track

Members should stay home if feeling unwell, and consult your GP.

If you answer YES to any of the following questions on the day of a particular session, we ask that you stay away from club training sessions until such time that you can answer NO to all questions.

1. Do you have symptoms of cough, fever, high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, breathlessness or flu-like symptoms now or in the past 14 days?
2. Have you been diagnosed with confirmed or suspected of COVID-19 infection in the last 14 days?
3. Are you a close contact of a person who is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days (i.e. less than 2 metres for more than 15 minutes altogether in 1 day)?
4. Have you been advised by a doctor to self-isolate at this time?
5. Have you, within the last 14 days, visited any country outside of Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland)?
6. Are you in a period of self-isolation and/or cocooning?

Gatherings, including social gatherings, before or after events must be avoided. Participants should practice 2 metre physical distancing before and after events and during breaks in sessions.

Your compliance with these safety measures is very much appreciated.