September 2020

Guidelines for running with RunTogether The Magpies during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

 Guidance for Leaders

This guidance document has been developed in adherence with government guidelines as outlined by the government in September 2020 and takes immediate effect. Guidance will be updated as per government guidelines when they are made available or as soon as possible thereafter.

RunTogether The Magpies groups meet at Homebase, Ledbury, at Tesco, Ledbury and also at Swallow Farm Stables, Wellington Heath.  Currently Athletics and Running activity can take place in unlimited numbers as long as it is within a COVID secure environment which can be open space such as a park or road.

A Covid-19 secure environment means in summary:

• The group must have a Covid Officer in place – Kate Elkington

• The group complies with all other current social distancing guidance

• The group has a risk assessment

• The group must have all participants contact details which can be shared upon request with the  NHS test and trace initiative – participants must book on-line before attending any session

The safety of RunTogether runners, their leader, and the wider community is crucial and this document provides advice to help keep all our participants safe. Please note that relevant government guidance may be subject to change at short notice and so it is the responsibility of each participant and also the leader/coach to keep up to date with the latest information before joining a session.

Any activity must take account of local conditions and it is the responsibility of each participant, as well as RunTogether The Magpies leader/coach to risk assess based on the environment we operate within. We have carried our Risk Assessment which are available upon request. All individuals should assess their own risk and the risk to their household before deciding to join us.

All participants must adhere to latest social distancing guidance.  

Preparation

• Your Health – It is paramount importance that everyone monitors themselves for any signs of the  virus as well as general health. Follow government advice and the advice or your GP in all  cases. If in any doubt cancel the session.

• Check participants feel well. Remind them of time for meeting and requirements for social   distancing.

• Although general guidelines state ‘unlimited numbers’ for general safety we will operate to a  maximum of 10

• Check you’re up to date with local government advice.

• Plan your session. You know your group so all the normal Leader considerations apply regarding  pace and distance. In addition, check the weather forecast and consider how busy the route will be. If it is warm consider a shady route.   If it is cooler choose a route on wider, open  paths which are easier to practise social distancing. Use a hill or effort session to more easily keep a group in a limited space.

Before Leaving Home

• Follow all hygiene guidance including washing your hands and, ideally, apply hand sanitiser.

• Carry a small First Aid kit, a pair of latex gloves and a surgical mask.

The Session

• As you meet your group there is no need to complete the register as you will know who is coming  from the booking system. We will not be looking after belongings, or car keys for anyone  else so people should come prepared to carry keys with them.

• Spread out during the warm up and cool down.  Check participants have medication with them   and feel 100% well. Remind them to catch any sneezes or coughs in a tissue and ‘Catch it,    Bin it, Kill it’ once home.

• Remind that it is everyone’s responsibility to adhere to latest social distancing guidance.  As a  general rule participants should run in pairs keeping to opposite sides of the path/road  unless encountering bottlenecks or other park users in which case drop back into single file  1m plus apart in order to pass safely. It may be necessary to stop your group and step off  the path to enable others to pass safely. Maintain a distance of 1m plus from the runner ahead of you and do not hold gates open for one another.

• Be especially courteous to other people/pedestrians, keeping your group the 1m plus social  distance from them.

First Aid

Should any participant require First Aid then try to assist at a safe distance from the casualty as much as you can and minimise the time you share a breathing zone. If they are capable, tell them to do things for you e.g. you can hand them a wipe or plaster to put on themselves. Treating the casualty properly should be your first concern. Remember the 3P model – preserve life, prevent worsening, promote recovery.

Preserve life: CPR

• Call 999 immediately – tell the call handler if the patient has any COVID-19 symptoms remember:   no one should be joining a session if they have any symptoms!

• Ask for help. Send someone to the nearest defibrillator.

• Only deliver CPR by chest compressions and defibrillator – don’t do rescue breaths

• Before starting CPR, to minimise transmission risk, use something to cover the patient’s mouth  and nose, while still permitting breathing to restart

• If available, use a fluid-repellent surgical mask and disposable gloves

After delivering any first aid

• Ensure you safely discard disposable items and clean reusable ones thoroughly

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser as soon as    possible

After the Session

• Ensure hygiene guidelines eg handwashing takes place as soon as possible and critically before   eating or drinking.

• Avoid congregating after the session, return home.