Athletics return to training and competition from November

Athletics South Africa (ASA) will resume training and controlled competition activity from November 1 under the government’s strict Covid-19 medical and safety protocols of the National Disaster Act.

According to ASA media liaison Sifiso Cele, running events are back but will be limited to distances of not more than 10km.

“This includes road running, parkruns, cross-country and trail running.

“Races over longer distances are regarded as high-risk events and are therefore not allowed.

“A maximum of 500 athletes will be allowed for road running, cross-country, trail running and parkruns,” said Cele.

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“For track and field, the maximum number of participants at a competition venue at any given time will also not exceed 500, including athletes, technical officials, volunteers, medical team, media/broadcasting team where relevant and stadium workers.

“At both running and track and field events, no spectators will be allowed.

“All rules and restrictions on the allowed events will be reviewed at the end of December in consultation with the sports and health departments,” said the media liaison.

Cele added from November 1 to December 31, only licensed athletes will be allowed to compete in ASA-accredited events, and this includes temporarily licensed athletes.

“Temporary licenses will be issued at provincial level at least 48 hours before competition to prevent a large gathering seeking licences on race day.”

The media personnel said events that normally take place during the festive season have not been approved due to the high risk of Covid-19 infections.

“With regards to return to training, only athletes in possession of a licence will be allowed to commence with training to prepare for their events.

“All-access to training facilities are subject to compliance with the Covid-19 regulations at each training facility.

“More information in this regard will be announced in due course.

“We are also entering a new era as an athletics family in the country as we begin to claw our way back to an unknown future under a new order of sporting life,” said Aleck Skhosana, president of ASA.

“However, while we look at returning to partial activity under the new order of things, let us not forget the priority is still to first save lives since the coronavirus is still very much with us.

“Where relevant, staggered starts will be employed to mitigate big groups and in the case of running events, one water point with ample water tables will be permitted and will be manned by masked volunteers who will be required to sanitise their hands after every group of runners has passed.

“All water sachets will be pre-ordered, at least 72 hours, treated and safely kept until race day.

“The volunteers who handle the sachets will wear gloves and will be screened accordingly.

“This means volunteers and race marshals will be trained in the Covid-19 protocols and will enforce acceptable social distancing and make sure water bottles are not shared.

“Only water sachets supplied at the official water stations by the trained marshals or volunteers will be allowed,” said the ASA president.

For more information go to the Athletics South Africa website at www.athletics.org.za

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