The below information has been updated as the situation continues to rapidly evolve.
High level summary below and further detail below that.
- Stockwood Park Track is now CLOSED
- We are suspending membership renewals due on 1st April.
- Beds Open and Beds County champs are postponed to a date to be determined
- All league fixtures up to end of May cancelled
- All road races up to end of May postponed.
Further detail below
Track
The track has now been CLOSED in line with government advice on 20th March to close gyms and Leisure centres.
Official restrictions
The information from England Athletics remains the same as below
As a result, England Athletics advises that all face-to-face activity such as club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face-to-face meetings, athlete camps, running groups and social events should be suspended until at least the end of April.
I met with the county committee and a representative of England Athletics (via teleconference) on Friday evening 20th March
In light of all recent developments my view is that the current restrictions will not be lifted before the end of June at the earliest.
Membership
As the season is effectively currently on hold, I am suspending membership renewals at this time (due 1st April).
If and when the situation becomes clearer, we will look to re-open renewals at a discounted rate. The renewal fee will depend on how much , if any of the season remains (remember the membership runs through to March 2021) when we can actually resume club activities, including coaching, and the situation on the England Athletics affiliation fee (they are still reviewing).
For anybody who has renewed already we will reimburse the difference once the discount is determined or you can ask for a full refund now.
Competition
The Beds Open and the Beds county championships are postponed until a date to be determined.
When and indeed whether they go ahead depends on when restrictions are lifted and the fixture situation.
A key will be the availability of officials to run all matches, especially if we try to cram too many in. Many of you will realise that the age profile of officials as a whole is quite high. When restrictions are removed for the population as a whole, they may continue for older age groups further restricting availability of officials.
The leagues have cancelled all matches until the end of May and as I say I believe this will be the end of June earliest. The leagues may well not go ahead and the view of the County association is that we should probably prioritise championships (England, SEAA, Eastern and County) over leagues. With the Open also thrown in we can hopefully satisfy some of the pent-up demand for competition that will undoubtedly exist.
Also most road races have been postponed until the autumn. I am yet to make a decision the Luton Summer Road race series but given my previous comment about end of June we will most likely have to postpone these are well. However we have to discuss the use of the Brache with Luton Town Football club during the season, and there is a big question market over the current and next football season at the moment. One plus for LTFC supporters is that a cancellation of the season would see them stay up 😊
Keeping fit
It is worth noting that government and England Athletics advice also says this.
Where possible, athletes and runners at all levels are encouraged to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time, while following government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments.
With the track now closed this is more difficult. You are allowed to exercise outdoors at the moment by yourself and I am certainly still going out for a run. Training for sprinters, jumpers and throwers is clearly a lot more difficult though.
Talk to your coaches about what they recommend and I hope to talk to them and England about suggested exercise schedules etc that we could make available. Your coaches are best placed to advise.
These are unprecedented times and I will continue to keep you informed as and when I have more or better information.
Stay safe and stay fit.
Paul