Update 7 July: Click here for an update on training guidance following the government advice on 4 July.
Our guidance documents below and route map for return to training remain in place and we will update further as government advice evolves.
Update 3 July – We have updated this to include counties/cities where the government advice is to return to lockdown.
Click to download the infographic (PDF 170kB)
Update 19 June – We have added three new guidance documents – one for Affiliated Clubs, one on Road Running and one on Health & Safety considerations for club activity. These are in addition to, and aligned to, our guidance documents previously released for Athletes & Runners, Coaches & Leaders and Athletics Venues. We have also released an infographic to share our planned route to return to full training and competition (which is of course dependent on government advice).
Following the new government advice on 28 May 2020 easing lockdown restrictions, groups of up to six people from different households will be able to meet outside in England from Monday 1 June (maintaining social distancing guidelines of 2m apart).
As a result, we have updated our guidance documents:
- Guidance for athletes and runners: return to activity (PDF 220kB)
- Guidance for coaches and leaders: return to activity (PDF 280kB)
- Guidance for athletic venues: return to activity (PDF 210kB)
- Guidance for affiliated clubs: return to activity (PDF 270kB)
- Guidance for road running coaches: return to activity (PDF 260kB)
- Health and safety guidance: return to activity (PDF 230kB)
What it means for athletics and running
- Exercise outdoors only in groups of up to 6 people providing athletes/runners maintain social distancing advice i.e. 2m apart if from a different household
- A coach and up to 5 athletes or runners can train together provided they maintain social distancing i.e. 2m apart if from a different household
- Advice for young, masters and disabled runners and athletes is contained in the athlete guidance document.
Click here to download Guidance for Athletes and Runners – return to restricted activity (PDF 220kB)
Where
Public outdoor spaces including any outdoor athletics venues that are open plus gardens.
Number of people
Up to 6 people
Clubs
- A Covid-19 co-ordinator identified in each club to take responsibility for club plan and undertake the relevant risk assessments. Click here for the Risk Assessment documents. These risk assessments and club plans must be in place before any activity can take place in order for insurance to be valid.
- In order for a club’s insurance to be valid, the club needs to be affiliated to England Athletics.
- Clubs should consider, as an alternative, virtual options for large group training/ coaching and committee meetings.
- Clubs should continue to liaise with venue operators for updates and guidance.
- Club activity can then begin as per each individual club’s plan based on government and England Athletics’ advice.
Click here for Guidance for affiliated clubs: return to activity (PDF 270kB)
Coaches
- Online coaching can continue.
- Small group coaching outdoors of up to 6 people including the coach providing you maintain social distancing i.e. 2m apart if from a different household
- You must complete a risk assessment before sessions take place. Click here for Risk Assessment documents.
- Coaches must have an up to date valid coach licence and be coaching within their qualification boundaries – this will ensure that all coached sessions are covered by insurance.
- Familiarise yourself with national and local venue guidance.
- Follow the coach code of conduct
Click here for Guidance for Athletics Venues – return to restricted activity (PDF 210kB)
Click here for Guidance for Coaches and Leaders – return to restricted activity (PDF 280kB)
Venues
- Outdoor venues may open with social distancing measures put into place and Covid-19 secure guidelines followed.
- Operate online booking for the track where at all possible, or alternatively phone bookings. Take online or card payment.
- No changing rooms or social spaces open.
- Up to 5 athletes with a suitably qualified coach may take part in a long jump, triple jump, high jump or pole vault training session. Cleaning of jump beds and sandpits between individual jumps and before and after each session is important. Coaches, athletes and facility providers must follow hygiene and social distancing guidelines at all times.
Click here for Guidance for Athletics Venues – return to restricted activity (PDF 210kB)
Track and Field Competition
Road Running
- Small group training outdoors only in groups of up to 6 people providing runners maintain social distancing advice i.e. 2m apart if from a different household.
- A coach and up to 5 athletes or runners can train together provided they maintain social distancing i.e. 2m apart if from a different household.
- No face-to-face competition permitted – England Athletics is running a series of virtual running competitions and challenges.
- Advice for young, masters and disabled runners and athletes is contained in the athlete guidance document.
Click here for Guidance for Athletes and Runners – return to restricted activity (PDF 220kB)
Click here for Guidance for road running coaches: return to activity (PDF 260kB)
All parties should note the following disclaimer:
Please note that the subject matter covered in this guidance is in no way exhaustive and the material does not stand on its own nor is intended to be relied upon as a substitute for obtaining specific legal advice. Individual circumstances will differ. The information contained in this guidance is given in good faith but any liability of BMAF & BMAF SERVICES LTD or its professional advisors (including their respective members or employees) to you or any third party which may arise out of the reliance by you or any other party of the contents of this guidance is hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. BMAF & BMAF SERVICES LTD and its professional advisors accept no duty of care or liability for any loss occasioned, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, to any person acting or refraining from actions as a result of any material in this guidance. We would strongly recommend that you consult professional advisors on specific issues before acting or refraining from action on any of the contents of this guidance.
These guidance documents have been prepared by England Athletics Limited
© England Athletics Limited 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from these publications is permissible only when attributed to England Athletics.