Weekly Updates Friday 22nd May

We do hope everyone is still keeping safe and well. Please don’t forget to get in touch if you want or need help with anything at all, keep talking and keep in touch, we are here to help! Our thanks again goes out to all our members who work for the NHS and all those other front line essential services and key workers. Click read more for this weeks information and updates…….

2km Club Challenge:

The club 2km challenge has been underway now for three days of the ten day window to record your performance. It has been so encouraging to see over 60 entered to date, with some results already submitted. The first to do so was Daniel Morgan recording a time of (6.36) setting the standard for everyone else to follow, just behind in 2nd is one of our club officials and endurance runners Gabriellus Stuokus (6.42) and in 3rd U13G Martha Caldwell (10.02) who has roped in her mum, dad and little sister to complete the challenge too. In fact its been very interesting to see so many mums and dads have entered we can’t wait to see how they all get on. If anyone else wishes to take part, you may still enter and have until midnight on the 29th May to submit your performance. For all the rules and other information, click and enter on this link.

When Will Training Recommence?

The short answer is we don’t know yet. The long answer is that there might be light at the end of the tunnel, with restrictions being ever so slightly eased in England. However until the Welsh Government give the go ahead we must and will continue to wait. When and if they do, we then will also need to adhere to any restrictions and guidance that Swansea University & Welsh Athletics set us for our road map to returning to training. Please continue to stay at home and follow all government guidance on social distancing to protect the NHS.

Webinars for coaches and officials;

Officials: After this May bank holiday weekend for officials at the time of posting we can see just the one scheduled webinar on Thursday 28th May covering the topic of gadgets and gizmos, however if you missed any of the previous webinars you can also watch these back on demand by clicking this link. For existing officials and potential new recruits, everything you need to know and more about being and wanting to get involved in officiating, can be found on the Welsh Athletics officials ages by clicking this link.

Coaches: There are now additional event specific webinars next week from Welsh Athletics, on coaching the half & full marathons and high jump fundamentals, for the full calendar of their webinars click this link. England Athletics cover Endurance, Hurdles, Pole Vault & Shot, for their full webinar calendar click this link.  For further and previous & missed coaching challenges and webinars with Welsh Athletics click here.

Who Did Trip Up Steve Ovett in 1985?

Each week we try to post something a little bit different to the usual updates, in an attempt to keep you all interested and coming back. This week for those of you old enough to remember the 1980’s (the vast majority of current members weren’t even born then!) In the 1980s Swansea Harriers were based at Morfa Stadium, Llandore, in a decade that saw many major athletics events held at the track that was infamous for its dip in the surface of the home straight. One of these great occasions were the Welsh Games in 1985, where one of Britain’s greatest ever athletes Steve Ovett who set six world records in the middle distance events during his career was participating. Taking part in the race was club stalwart Simon Merrick who recalls for us what happened The Ovett incident in 1985

Annual Membership Renewals:

When we try to regrow and rebuild the club on its eventual return, can all those members that are yet to renew their annual membership, are encouraged to do so please; you can print a renewal form here ready for when training recommences.2020-2021 Membership Application for New Members & Renewals

Online Fundraising:

Thank you so much to everyone who has signed up to help raise funds for the club, so that we can try to regrow and thrive again once we are back in action, it really is much appreciated. In addition to easy fundraising, Swansea Harriers are now also registered as a charity with Amazon Smile.

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Swansea Harriers charity of your choice every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.co.uk, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as amazon.co.uk, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your selected charity of Swansea Harriers.

To help raise much needed funds for the club, before you buy anything online please consider login in here and register for Swansea Harriers. At no extra cost to you a percentage of your item will go to the club and there are thousands of retailers to choose from, 100% of the income raised goes back into the club