For the rest of August we will continue club running in groups of up to six across varying speeds and distances (from 3 miles (5k) to 7 miles):
Mondays 7.00pm Richmond Park – Ham Gate
Wednesdays 7.00pm Elmbridge Fields – end of Raeburn Avenue (details as 31 July post below).
Before you run with us – please read our COVID-19 guidance – link above.
Be especially aware that the Government self isolation rules have newly been extended to cover France and the Netherlands (they already cover Spain and many other countries) – Please do not join us if you have returned from one of these destinations until you have completed your 14 days isolation.
Following successful runs in groups of up to six last week, we will again be running next week:
on Monday 10 August 7.00pm Richmond Park – Kingston Gate (details as last week below)
on Wednesday 12 August 7.00pm Elmbridge Fields – end of Raeburn Avenue (details as last week below). Weather permitting, some members will retire to the Berrylands garden after.
Please read ‘Restricted return to club running – general principles’ below before joining us.
We look forward to more delightful runs in the evening sunshine.
Thank you for sharing your views overwhelmingly in support of re-starting club training in compliance with relevant guidelines. We are delighted to announce a restricted return to club training 7.00pm on Monday and Wednesday evenings for those who wish to do so (see separate posts for location etc).
Many of us enjoy running with others and most will achieve higher standards of fitness from running in a club. Some need this motivation to get out running at all
The operation of the club therefore contributes to health and wellbeing in the local community.
We are aiming to be as inclusive as possible – to permit every member of 26.2 who wants to run to do so with a group of up to 6 runners of similar speed. In the interests of our members’ health and that of others we meet, and of restricting the transmission of COVID in the community, we must ensure that we comply fully with government and England Athletics guidelines https://www.englandathletics.org/. We ask you to take these procedures very seriously, as well as enjoying your running. Our COVID co-ordinator is David Pimm, who can be contacted on: chairman@26point2.co.uk.
DO go to the loo and wash your hands thoroughly before you leave home and when you arrive back
DO arrive ready to run
DO arrive promptly, shortly before the start time and depart soon after finishing
DO avoid at any point before, during or after running being in a group of more than six
DO maintain 2m distance from all other runners or park users wherever possible
DO give your name to your run leader
DO avoid touching communal surfaces
DO avoid shouting
Be considerate of other park users
If using public transport, follow appropriate guidance
DO NOT join us on the night if you or a member of your household is displaying symptoms (high temperature; new, continuous cough; loss of, or change to, sense of smell or taste), or has done so in the last 10 days, or you are required to isolate for health reasons or because of notification from NHS Test and Trace
DO NOT join us if you are required by Government guidance to quarantine following travel overseas
Runners participate at their own risk and are responsible for complying with Government guidance
Under 18s should be accompanied by an adult from their household.
Details may need to change. Please check with this website for the latest position before setting out for a club run.
For those not wishing to join at this stage, see the club virtual training plan button above.
In this initial phase of a return to club running, we will run on Monday evenings from the grass just across the perimeter road (Broomfield Hill) from the Kingston Gate Car Park of Richmond Park. You can currently only gain vehicular access by entering at the Kingston Gate. Please be prompt so that groups can to set off at 7.05pm. Please gather in a group of no more than 6 runners, identifying a run leader/group of suitable speed for you to be comfortable. We expect to have groups covering all speeds and running distances from about 3 or 4 to 6 or 7 miles. Keep 2m apart, and be ready to split into two groups if needed to keep numbers six or less at all times.
Read Restricted return to club running – general principles above before joining us
In this initial phase of a return to club running, we will run on Wednesday evenings from the grass (Elmbridge Fields) by the roundabout at the end Raeburn Avenue (junction with Surbiton Hill Park and Elmbridge Avenue). Please be prompt so that groups can set off at 7.05pm. Please gather on the grass in a group of no more than 6 runners, identifying a run leader/group of suitable speed for you to be comfortable. We expect to have groups covering all speeds and running distances from about 3 or 4 to 6 or 7 miles (we may experiment with intervals or other styles of training in future weeks). Keep 2m apart, and be ready to split into two groups if needed to keep numbers six or less at all times.
This venue may change at short notice. Check this website before setting off.
Read Restricted return to club running – general principles above before joining us
I will be leading another training session in Alexandra Recreation Ground at 7.00pm next Wednesday 29 July as a second pilot for developing club training runs that are compliant with England Athletics COVID-19 rules. To comply, I must be joined by no more than five other runners and we will run a minimum of two metres apart (the aim will be for more than 2m). If you would like to join me please go to the Facebook page 26.2 RRC – We is Runners (members only) and reply to my post. There is still time to sign up for Monday’s first pilot. Make sure you go to the right post for the session you would like to join. I will finalise our list of participants on a first come first served basis. This will be a reps session for ANY SPEED: 8 to 12 reps of 1 minute on / 1 minute off. We will meet at 7.00pm by the Cricket Pavilion (alongside King Charles Road) keeping at least 2m apart as you meet. Please complete your own warm up before you arrive (perhaps one mile at a slow pace to arrive at the rec for 7.00pm). The session will include a more formal warm up starting at 7.05pm.
For further dos and dont’s before you arrive, please see the post below (Pilot training run).
I will be leading a training session in Richmond Park at 7.00pm next Monday 27 July as a pilot for developing club training runs that are compliant with England Athletics COVID-19 rules. To comply, I must be joined by no more than five other runners and we will run a minimum of two metres apart. If you would like to join me please go to the Facebook page 26.2 RRC – We is Runners (members only) and reply to my post. I will finalise our list of participants on a first come first served basis. The run will be approximately 6 miles (all within the perimeter road), off-road and quite hilly. I plan on running at about 8:30 minutes per mile pace. We will meet at 7.00pm on the grass just across the perimeter road (Broomfield Hill) from the Kingston Gate Car Park keeping at least 2m apart. You can currently only gain vehicular access by entering at the Kingston gate. Please be prompt as I plan to set off at 7.05pm.
Important further information for those participating in pilot run;
DO go to the loo and wash your hands thoroughly before you leave home and when you arrive back
DO arrive ready to run
DO avoid touching communal surfaces.
Be considerate of other park users.
If using public transport, follow appropriate guidance.
DO NOT join us on the night if you or a member of your household is displaying symptoms (high temperature; new, continuous cough; loss of, or change to, sense of smell or taste), or you are required to isolate for health reasons or because of notification from NHS Test and Trace.
DO NOT come along if your participation has not been confirmed (on We is runners). You cannot be allowed to run if numbers exceed six runners
Runners join me at their own risk and are responsible for complying with Government guidance.
Under 18s should be accompanied by an adult from their household.
We have organised for a live coaching session on zoom with Nathan Bell on Tuesday 16th June at 6pm. Nathan is a Strength & Conditioning Coach and movement specialist who has been helping people restore quality movement and improve physical performance for the last 8 years. He is also one of the coaches who operates at Surbiton Rackets & Fitness Club.
The session is focused on flexibility and core stability. The session will provide you with the top mobility and strength exercises specifically for runners, as well as how to progress and regress depending on your level. There will also be an opportunity at the end of the session to ask any questions you might have.
If you would like to reduce the chances of suffering from common running injuries and learn more about how to improve running performance by increasing strength then make sure to sign up for the session.
On 17 March, in line with Government and England Athletics advice, we announced the suspension of all 26.2 club training and competitive events. This post confirms that, despite certain relaxations of Government advice, all face to face club activities currently remain suspended. We are monitoring the changing situation and will advise on this website if the situation changes.
This has been a challenging period in so many ways, and we have missed running together. It has, however, been great to compete in various ways through our virtual league and to meet via Zoom and Facebook for our awards ceremony and for twice-weekly club briefings. This week we launch a new iteration of our virtual league (see below) and there is an opportunity to sign up for the virtual Parkland Relays (see link above).
In light of government announcements on the 16 March advising that we should avoid non-essential social contact with others, including going to sporting events, pubs, clubs, theatres and social venues, all 26.2 club training and competitive events have been suspended until further notice. This is in line with England Athletics advice issued this morning: https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/coronavirus-statement/.
Any changes to our position will be posted to this website.
I know that many will be bitterly disappointed after working hard for various events including spring marathons. But we are committed to working together for the health of all our members and the wider community.
England Athletics encourages where possible, athletes and runners at all levels to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time, while following government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments.
Surbiton's friendly running club. Open to runners of all standards, fast or slow. We participate in local races of all distances.