Updated 12 July 2020
KADS are back! We're now able to put on structured (hills and speed) training sessions for a few small groups each Wednesday.
Please see the video below from club Captain Leigh explaining the situation and check your Sunday emails for details of how to book. ​

​Updated 14 June 2020
This week we held a committee meeting, by video, to try and work out how we can bring KADS safely back into the real world for us all. After reviewing the EA guidelines we do not feel we’re able to host face to face club activities at this time. We are committed to continuing our work with virtual events, which we hope you find fun, engaging and motivating, and the committee will continue to meet bi-weekly (online) to arrange these events for the club and review the current situation. Until we are able to re-start club activities, should you wish to use the KADS Chit Chat page or email to arrange meeting fellow KADS, we’re happy to support this as long as you’re able to follow the current government guidelines. 

Updated 2 June 2020
EA have updated their guidance following the Government easing restrictions and allowing 6 people to meet at once. Their official stance is on this link.  As a club, we'd ask you continue to follow the guidelines as individuals, the club will not yet be creating events or sessions except the virtual ones as we have been.  We are next due to meet (online) next Wednesday when we'll have had a chance to see if there are revisions by EA, how other clubs are handling it and what we could do to keep things simple, safe and remain within the guidelines and our insurance.


Updated 28 May 2020

Yesterday's Government announcement eased lock down restrictions, enabling up to six individuals to meet outside (as long as social distancing is adhered to) from Monday. We're waiting for updated information from the EA as to how this affects us as a running club, and we will post it here as soon as we have it.

Updated 15 May 2020

Following the recent Government update on the easing of lock down measures, we've now received information from England Athletics with regards to what the changes mean to us. Sadly as a club, we're still unable to meet and run together, however individuals are now able to run with one other person who is not from their household, as long as they both observe social distancing measures. You can find the full EA update on their website.

Updated 16 March 2020

Following the Government press conference this evening we have made the decision to suspend gathering as a large group until further notice.  We had an emergency committee meeting this evening using online resources (zoom) and came to the decision unanimously as a result of the advice which reads "avoid unnecessary travel and non-essential contact with others".

What we do not have to face in the UK at present is a total lock down.  We are still free to run!

What does that mean to us?
We still want to support you, we want to get out and run ourselves, but Wednesday and Thursday nights are cancelled.  Gathering as a large group at any other time is also to be discouraged.

What can we do instead?
Map Runs: While we're still permitted to run, there will be three distances published weekly.  Each will have a novelty element to it.  We encourage you to participate in the challenge, share your strava/garmin details or send a muddy face or feet photo.
Weekly Structured session: There will still be a session structured each week.  Use the KADS chit chat/whatsapp/email if you need the support - push each other to complete it at the same time in different locations, use the resources
Handicap: As this was due to start in just a couple of weeks, if things stay as they are, this cannot be completed in its current form.  As a result the course will be marked out from 1st April and you'll have the entire month to complete it.  This will give Steve a big overhead as he's got to collate all the data and publish predicted times before hand so you know what you're aiming for.  There will also need to be an element of trust for those runners who don't use smart devices to capture their run detail.  Just remember everyone, trust is key here, it's only meant for a bit of fun and competition and while the shine might be taken off the award next March, think of the poor Liverpool fans if the league is cancelled..

Additional Support
Kerstine has also been publishing other online resources for strength and fitness to help with running, these are going to be shared more widely.  We'll also be continuing to monitor the situation and the interaction to see what else we can do to keep running.

If anyone wants to contact us about running specific issues while you're more isolated, please get in touch with us.

We're also not just a running club, we value your health and wellbeing too.  There are resources out there to help (e.g. https://covidmutualaid.org/), but if anyone is in a vulnerable group and needs a little support, reach out to one of the members or you can contact any of the committee.  If anyone wants to contact me directly, my number is 07766 962751.

KADS was founded to get groups of like-minded people together, now we're being forced to run in isolation.  Let's show the other clubs once again what it means to be a KAD😎

Yours in (mostly) isolation,
Leigh
​Chairman

Updated 12 March 2020

As the government has today changed the status of the pandemic to the 'delay' stage, please ensure that if you have and viral symptoms or a cough that you self isolate for 7 days.

We will continue to monitor the situation and continue to act on the advice we receive.


Updated 11 March 2020

We thought we would share with you the latest advice from EA regarding the coronavirus outbreak: 
https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/coronavirus-statement/

The Committee had a brief chat this morning and we would like to ask everyone to meet outside (on the grassy area we warm up) tonight, in order to minimise congregating inside the leisure centre. Please do pop inside, check the route maps etc, but then make your way outside to the grassy area at the entrance on Newdigate street to the KLC/School. 

As well as asking everyone to follow the general advice for washing your hands and "catch it, kill it, bin it" when coughing or sneezing, please can we ask, that if you do have flu-like symptoms, or if you have been recently returned to the UK from overseas (particularly the affected parts of the world) that you avoid coming along for the time being. This is simply to help maintain the health of the club and do our bit to "flatten the curve" and slow the spread of the virus. 

We aren't experts so we can't necessarily answer your questions, so please refer to NHS 111 and the governments advice if you have any concerns: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public 

Thanks
KADS Committee