A Windy and Soggy 3km Thrash 

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Thursday 25th June to Tuesday 30th June saw the 3km Thrash for runners moving into the final 3 weeks of the Foxy 5km Challenge. 29 completed the event and as ever the weather was against them with some high winds and torrential rain over the weekend. This turned the thrash into more of a trundle for some runners but everyone who took part gave their all. Having said that at least 6 PBs were recorded.

The youngest runner this time round was 8 years old whilst the oldest 73. Runs took place in a number of venues across the island with local promenades, the old Douglas to Peel railway line and the NSC roadway being the favourite locations. The only other location in use was in Hong Kong as Ed Gumbley’s run continued the international flavour of the events!

It has to be said that all who took part deserve admiration for sticking to their task in some very difficult conditions. We now move into the final 3 weeks of training and then the final 5km Challenge being held between Thursday 16th July and Monday 20th July. Manx Harriers hope to hold a 5km run as part of their Race walks on Thursday 16th July at the NSC Roadway based at their clubhouse. More details to follow next week in the Manx Independent, also on www.iomathletics.com & Manx Harriers Website and Facebook pages.

Here are the full results

Return to Competition

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Following yesterday’s announcement, we can now confirm that UKA have agreed to lift all competition restrictions on IOM Athletics, thus we are now in the super exciting position to return to competition!

We appreciate that all clubs and event organisers will now be looking at their calendars to salvage what they can for the remainder of the season but it is important that we do not dilute the impact of existing events with a barrage of rearranged fixtures and events.

We are therefore requesting that all event organisers contact IOMA with their plans for the months of June/July/August/September and October so that we can continue the great work of the Fixtures committee in avoiding clashes and maximising the impact of all events across the Island. It is assumed that all events post September will remain as scheduled and of course, existing events will be given priority.

We cannot wait to see you all out there smashing PB’s and sitting proudly atop Power of 10 rankings. Don’t however, forget to tip the cap to the Organisers of the events who put so much work in the background to make these things happen.

Athletics is Back!

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Good evening!

We are finally there. On Monday, Howie announced that not only has Social Distancing been removed but the upper limit on the number of people allowed to congregate has also been scrapped meaning that we can now look to a near full return to Athletics on the Isle of Man!

We have been working closely with the NSC, UKA and IOM Sport to hash out the details which are as follows:

  • From Thursday, full access to the NSC and equipment will be permitted. No booking system or limits apply.
  • Long Jump pits will need to be turned over before and after each use and high jump and pole vault mats need to be wiped down after use.
  • Competition has been approved by IOM Sport however we are still waiting for confirmation from UKA as to what we will be permitted to run, we are hoping to salvage some semblance of a 2020 season for you all.

Please do your bit in keeping the Virus subdued by following increased hand washing and hygiene protocols so that we can continue to enjoy the fruits of the fantastic work of the IOM Govt.

Happy Running, Jumping and Throwing!

Mikey

Guidance for Sports and Recreation Activities v4 15-06-20

NSC Return to use risk assessment 3.0

NSC Terms of Use 3.0

Foxy’s 5km Challenge – The Performances

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Many newcomers to running signed up for the training programme and they were joined by a few experienced runners in the challenge which took place over 5 days between 4th and 8th June. Unfortunately the weather was not with those taking part as after weeks of glorious sunshine and still conditions we had a windy and blustery weekend. Having said that 16 personal best performances were recorded by the 58 runners who have put their time forward.

Our youngest runner was 9 years old whilst our oldest was in their 70s. It is difficult to gain an understanding of how runners performed and compare results with such an age range hence the age grading % gives an interesting way of doing this rather than relying purely on time. This gives the runners time as a percentage of the fastest time in the world recorded for anyone of their age. A rule of thumb used with age grading suggest 90%+ is world standard, 80%+ is national standard, 70%+ is regional standard, 60%+ is island standard and 40%+ is local standard.

Runners performed across the island, the UK and the world in our challenge. We had runners doing their time trial in Keswick, Bradford and Hong Kong just to name a few places. Some of the popular Island routes included the NSC Roadway, Old Railway lines in Douglas and Peel and numerous coastal routes on our beautiful island.

Here are the performances.

Whilst a number of runners have not recorded a performance on this occasion, as over 100 signed up, they have enjoyed the challenge of 4 weeks training and attempting some difficult training sessions. Hopefully the next challenge will enable them to test themselves further.

A new 6 week challenge is underway which in three weeks’ time has a 3km Thrash to test fitness and then 6 weeks from now sees the final 5km challenge. If others would like to take part and join in then email Andy on andycfox@outlook.com all will be made welcome!

Well done to all who took part. Some fantastic performances have been recorded and all should be very proud of their achievements. Watch this space for more information regarding the new challenge which lies in wait in 6 weeks’ time!!

IOM Athletics Phased Lockdown Exit Strategy – Using the NSC

Posted on By Anthony Brand

It feels like a lifetime since we were last able to lace up the spikes and let loose but there is light at the end of the tunnel. With the recent easing of restrictions, IOM Athletics is pleased to announce that from Monday 25th May the NSC track will be available for use to some members of the Island’s athletics community.

As the Island’s athletics body, IOM Athletics has the responsibility to carefully balance the safe return of athletics whilst maintaining the safety of athletes, coaches, facility staff and the wider public. We have therefore opted to phase in the return to use of the track, as detailed below.

Whilst we understand this may cause some frustration to those not able to access the track immediately, we believe it is the best way to introduce a return to training while ensuring social distancing and keeping everyone as safe as possible.

The phases below are not intended to be standardised across the three sections – i.e. athlete access may be able to progress to the next phase at a point that equipment usage cannot progress. Athlete access starts with a prioritised and low-risk phase. The proposal not to return to indoor facilities such as changing rooms is made on the consideration of increased risk to users and it is worth noting that athletes are by in large training without toilet facilities at present. IOM Athletics also request hand sanitiser should be carried by all facility users.

Throughout the phases, an NSC member of staff will be on site to oversee the proper usage of the facility and to control the flow of users in and out. Understanding and adhering to the processes in place are key for the system to work so please make sure you are comfortable with the set up. IOM Athletics is committed to the safe return of Track and Field and will follow Government guidance at all points. The entire strategy is to be viewed as a fluid process with no strict timeline. The process will be under constant review and can be regressed/progressed as appropriate.

Athletics Development Officer, Mikey Haslett, has agreed to host an open Zoom call on Sunday 24th May at 20:00 to answer any questions and talk through the plan for a full return to use of the NSC.

Athlete Access Schedule

Phase 1

Athletes permitted to use the track during Phase 1 are:

  • Senior and U20 Athletes
  • Prospective Island Games Athletes (Inc. U17)*
  • Isle of Man Sport Academy Athletes*If haven’t already, you should submit a Declaration of Interest form to the IG Team ManagerTo access the track, all athletes/coaches must agree to the following:
  • Every athlete must be a signed up and paid member of an EA affiliated club* for the year 2020/21
  • All facility users to sanitise their hands before and after their session
  • Jumps and Hurdles are NOT permitted at this point
  • Over 70 or at-risk coaches/athletes NOT permitted as per Govt advice
  • Personal equipment must be used and cannot be shared – No equipment will be available for use from the NSC.*If financial support is required, contact Mikey directly athleticsdevelopmentiom@gmail.com

For information:

  • Access is arranged via a slot booking process through the NSC Outdoor Office. How to book the track
  • All bookings for the coming week are to be made with the NSC on the Monday where possible
  • Slots are for 55 minutes and are limited to 1 per day
  • A warm up area will be set up in Car Park 1
  • All bookings subject to the Government Guidelines for Sport
  • All bookings subject to the Terms of Use and Risk Assessment.  Please ensure you read both documents.
  • NSC staff member on hand to provide First Aid if required
  • EA Coaches insurance valid so long as coach follows Govt guidelines

Phase 2

U17 and U15 age groups are invited to use the track on the same agreement as Phase 1 and under the supervision of coach/parent.

  • Formal slot booking is still to be administered
  • Over 70 or at-risk coaches/athletes not permitted as per Govt advice

Phase 3

Remaining age groups are invited to use the track on the same agreement as Phase 1 and under the supervision of coaches as part of organised club training.

  • Formal slot booking is still to be administered
  • Over 70 or at-risk coaches/athletes not permitted as per Govt advice

Indoor access and use of equipment

(To be coordinated with NSC alongside Govt Advice)

Phase 1: No access to indoor areas and use of (non-personal) equipment prohibited. Wheelchair accessible toilet available from day 1 but to be sanitised after use.

Phase 2: Access to Toilets permitted. Equipment can be used but only NSC staff can access equipment store. Equipment must not be shared between athletes and must be sanitised after use.

Phase 3: Public Health and NSC to dictate the use of indoor spaces such as changing facilities, as NSC will be ultimately responsible for sanitisation given it is their site. Equipment usage to remain as phase 2 until IOM Govt declare safe to return to “normal practices.”

Phase 4: Full access to all areas and equipment

Field Events & Hurdles

Phase 1: Throws with personal equipment only. No sharing

Phase 2: Long Jump/Triple Jump.

  • Only 1 person allowed to use the rake and to be sanitised after use
  • Store equipment accessible but no sharing allowed and need to be sanitised after use

Phase 3: Return of High Jump, Supervised Pole Vault, Supervised Hurdles

  • Access permitted to NSC store equipment following standard protocols, obtained by a member of the NSC staff