Parkrun..

adrian522 · 14-03-2020 12:13AM

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Could parkrun have continued but have no timing in place plus no cafe afterwards? If this shutdown continues for longer than a couple of weeks people are going to have awful cabin fever. Junior parkruns could continue as well. Kids could really need to burn off the energy.

So many races and events in general have been cancelled.

On the other hand you see the Arsenal manager possibly picking it up from a brief encounter with the Greek Olympiakos soccer team manager who has tested positive.

Can it be transmitted from people just breathing in and out rather than sneezing etc?

Holding Junior parkruns would completely go against the point of closing schools.

"Message from consultant respiratory paediatrician at CUH. I hope you all stay safe during this difficult time .

The children will get through this no problem . Paediatric hospitals are empty in Italy at present after 3 weeks of school closure as the usual viruses stopped circulating .

Remember with Corona, children are vectors not victims . In most epidemics young children are the transmitters .

Therefore for school closure to be effective it’s really important that the kids aren’t mixing with other kids while out of school . They will give it to each other silently pass it on to our loved ones.

What we do now will contribute to how this develops in Cork . Avoid situations that the children will interact.

If the community respond to this it will shut it down more than anything we do in hospital . From my experiences in the hospital this last week I would say that corona virus is closer to all of us than we realise and the degrees of separation for all of us is getting narrower.

This message should be shared as widely as possible with parents in Cork it will help. This message needs to go viral to stop the virus."

arybvtcw0eolkf · 14-03-2020 12:29AM

KJ wrote: »

I forgot to post to say that last week I was first finisher for the first time ever! Also, with events cancelled for the rest of the month, does that make me the March Champion for my local parkrun?

LOL

Hail the champ

Murph_D · 14-03-2020 01:41AM

robinph wrote: »

No need for the person handing out tokens to touch people or to touch the tokens with the use of a pair of gloves. No need for the people scanning to touch peoples barcodes or finish tokens.

Yes there are risks, but not any more than paying for your latte on the way to work or spending the day sat in an air conditioned office next to someone.

Robin, I assume you are a multiple volunteer. Don't take the piss.

average_runner · 14-03-2020 08:15AM

I think the forum has shown two type of runners:

The one that cant say no to racing no matter at what health risk .

The one that can see the big picture and step back from the races.

Both train and are as committed.

Lazare · 14-03-2020 11:20AM

Murph_D wrote: »

Robin, I assume you are a multiple volunteer. Don't take the piss.

This.

I did barcode scanning last week. I wore gloves for the cold but had to remove them to work the scanner. Must have come into contact with about 90 people.

Mad how quickly this is moving. I had no worries doing that last week. Wouldn't dare do it this week.

Using car keys to operate ATMs now.

rainbow kirby · 14-03-2020 12:14PM

jimmii wrote: »

Same. I had intended to go for a PB at the edinbrugh run and that got almost 700 last weekend. Nicola has asked for events over 500 people that could effect the emergency services to be cancelled from Monday so as far as they feel theres no reason not to go ahead. Think I'll still go to my local one as it normally only gets around 60.

At least she has her head somewhat screwed on, compared to Boris the blathering buffoon...

jimmii · 14-03-2020 12:26PM

rainbow kirby wrote: »

At least she has her head somewhat screwed on, compared to Boris the blathering buffoon...

I don't know might turn out he's done the right thing. No matter what way you think is correct you have to consider it brave to not follow everyone else and shows trust in the advisors. I can see why they're doing it this way and if it plays out how they seem to think it will it could work out being a lot more manageable than it ends up being elsewhere. Truth is no one knows what's best to do in this situation so everyone is relying on getting lucky!

Having said that it doesnt seem to have made any difference everyone seems to be in a self imposed lock down never seen the roads so empty as yesterday.

robinph · 14-03-2020 12:31PM

Murph_D wrote: »

Robin, I assume you are a multiple volunteer. Don't take the piss.

Not sure why you think I'm taking the piss. Perfectly reasonable suggestions for how to limit contact during a parkrun. Also parkrun is a very very tiny social interaction compared with the time people spend in offices and public transport during the week.

Didn't have physical contact with anyone during parkrun this morning, or stand within their range of breathing on me. Bigger challenge was avoiding driving the buggy through dog poo.

Anyway, will be the last for a while as I doubt they will happen next week. Not because of any big risks at a small running event, but because of the bad publicity of them happening. Even if there is 100,000 people already infected in the UK, the chances of meeting one of them at an event this morning are tiny, and the chances of having shared bodily fluids with them in the outdoors are even more tiny. Those numbers will of course change over the next few weeks, but for now the biggest risk anyone is doing is going into work on Monday morning.

I'm in a couple of at risk groups, but the benefits of doing the parkrun this morning far outweigh any risks for the moment.

adrian522 · 14-03-2020 12:42PM

Spare us the whataboutery.

It's pretty irresponsible for parkrun to continue when most sporting organisations have stopped not only games and large gatherings abut small things like training sessions.

Having non essential events like parkrun will only speed up the spread of the virus, particularly in NI when people from the south will travel to NI to partake and spread the virus when they return.

Head in the sand stuff from the parkrun HQ, no leadership whatsoever.

average_runner · 14-03-2020 12:58PM

robinph wrote: »

Not sure why you think I'm taking the piss. Perfectly reasonable suggestions for how to limit contact during a parkrun. Also parkrun is a very very tiny social interaction compared with the time people spend in offices and public transport during the week.

Didn't have physical contact with anyone during parkrun this morning, or stand within their range of breathing on me. Bigger challenge was avoiding driving the buggy through dog poo.

Anyway, will be the last for a while as I doubt they will happen next week. Not because of any big risks at a small running event, but because of the bad publicity of them happening. Even if there is 100,000 people already infected in the UK, the chances of meeting one of them at an event this morning are tiny, and the chances of having shared bodily fluids with them in the outdoors are even more tiny. Those numbers will of course change over the next few weeks, but for now the biggest risk anyone is doing is going into work on Monday morning.

I'm in a couple of at risk groups, but the benefits of doing the parkrun this morning far outweigh any risks for the moment.

I am sorry, the benefit of a parkrun today does not out weight any risks.

You simply dont believe corona is serious and you dont care who you could spread it to.

The Black Oil · 14-03-2020 01:15PM

Perhaps we can get back to why people do parkrun at all. For me, it's about the range of people you meet and the pre/post ribbing that happens, be it from running or volunteering.

robinph · 14-03-2020 01:29PM

average_runner wrote: »

I am sorry, the benefit of a parkrun today does not out weight any risks.

You simply dont believe corona is serious and you dont care who you could spread it to.

I believe it is a serious threat, and I definitely believe that it is an additional very serious threat to me on a number of counts.

The miniscule risk of going to parkrun this morning though doesn't bother me in the slightest. It would do in a month and possibly would in a week, but not today. Working from home I had more interaction with different people within the first 30 seconds of arriving than I would during a month during the working day (even if just a nod hello from the other side of a flower bed this morning). That is a significant benefit to me and loads of other people, the risk of transmission of the virus is still tiny though at this stage.

Yes it does make sense to shut down various things. I don't think parkrun is anywhere near the top of that list though and there are much more effective things that could be done first. Anyone turning up to an office on Monday is at significant more risk to themselves and others than anyone running around a park this morning was.

I'm hoping that things do subside in time for the London marathon weekend in October which will also be parkruns 16th birthday the day before at Bushy. No guarantee of that yet as nobody knows what will happen next.

opus · 14-03-2020 02:30PM

Got out for a freedom run this morning just to keep the routine, wasn't the only one. Tbh I'd be surprised if the parkruns in the UK keep going given every other parkrun country has stopped (I think).

robinph · 14-03-2020 02:46PM

I'd hope that they allow Cape Pembroke Lighthouse to continue, even though in parkrun world its classed as being in the UK region. Same goes for the prison events which should really be allowed to continue based on their own situations .

Even if a prison is hit with the virus, letting the lads run around the yard would be the least of their worries. Very similar environment to the cruise ships, except they are not going to be going ashore after 2 weeks quarantine so they should be let run.

Burkie1203 · 14-03-2020 03:27PM

robinph wrote: »

I believe it is a serious threat, and I definitely believe that it is an additional very serious threat to me on a number of counts.

The miniscule risk of going to parkrun this morning though doesn't bother me in the slightest. It would do in a month and possibly would in a week, but not today. Working from home I had more interaction with different people within the first 30 seconds of arriving than I would during a month during the working day (even if just a nod hello from the other side of a flower bed this morning). That is a significant benefit to me and loads of other people, the risk of transmission of the virus is still tiny though at this stage.

Yes it does make sense to shut down various things. I don't think parkrun is anywhere near the top of that list though and there are much more effective things that could be done first. Anyone turning up to an office on Monday is at significant more risk to themselves and others than anyone running around a park this morning was.

The miniscule risk you talk about could be massive for people who walk at parkrun because they simply cannot run for medical reasons.

Can you point to any evidence that workplace is more or less at risk to a parkrun?

Cancelling Parkrun is the correct thing to do. We need to minimize risk at all levels regardless of how big or small. In an ideal work people don't have contact but in reality where people chasing a time sprint over a line are they really thinking clearly enough etc?

I can see parkrun initially returning whenever that is with untimed events for a few weeks.

Pawwed Rig · 14-03-2020 04:27PM

The current Irish government advisory would seem to still allow for parkrun (except the biggest 3 or 4) I suppose it depends who you are listening to.
Alot of places have shut down but seem to be contrary to the 'official' advice (whatever that is worth)

Burkie1203 · 14-03-2020 04:43PM

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

The current Irish government advisory would seem to still allow for parkrun (except the biggest 3 or 4) I suppose it depends who you are listening to.
Alot of places have shut down but seem to be contrary to the 'official' advice (whatever that is worth)

The official advice is one thing but the "social distancing" places a few ppl in an unnecessary position

Also if someone has a medical issue the first aiders etc are also put at risk

Pawwed Rig · 14-03-2020 04:51PM

Not denying any of that but the official advice is the official advice which would allow for a parkrun. It is ultimately up to individuals themselves if they want to be more conservative than the official advice so I think people have been a little unfair to Robin here.

plodder · 14-03-2020 04:56PM

adrian522 wrote: »

Having non essential events like parkrun will only speed up the spread of the virus, particularly in NI when people from the south will travel to NI to partake and spread the virus when they return.

Looking at some of the numbers in NI this morning, I don't see any evidence of that happening. Many events are down slightly, and a few up by a small amount.

Head in the sand stuff from the parkrun HQ, no leadership whatsoever.

They are just following the advice from the authorities in each country they operate. That said, I'd be surprised if it's still going ahead next week.

cheekypup · 14-03-2020 05:06PM

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Not denying any of that but the official advice is the official advice which would allow for a parkrun. It is ultimately up to individuals themselves if they want to be more conservative than the official advice so I think people have been a little unfair to Robin here.

I was down to be Run Director this morning and although i was dissapointed it wasn't on, I fully respect parkrun HQ's decision and glad the decision to call off the run was taken out of my hands.

I'm glad there was no opportunity for me to call emergency services for any accident or incident that may have occured to any parkrunner and therefore no taking the frontline services away from where there are needed most at the moment.

Pawwed Rig · 14-03-2020 05:18PM

cheekypup wrote: »

I was down to be Run Director this morning and although i was dissapointed it wasn't on, I fully respect parkrun HQ's decision and glad the decision to call off the run was taken out of my hands.

I'm glad there was no opportunity for me to call emergency services for any accident or incident that may have occured to any parkrunner and therefore no taking the frontline services away from where there are needed most at the moment.

Nothing I wrote contradicts any of that

robinph · 14-03-2020 08:31PM

.

https://twitter.com/WithMeNowPod/status/1238907375945465859?s=19

adrian522 · 14-03-2020 09:07PM

So they are going to follow the government guidelines in each country and not make any determinations themselves. Fair enough I guess but obviously the UK and Ireland are following different paths on this and its strange to have such differing policies in 2 jurisdictions beside one another.

I think they are showing a complete lack of leadership and they are putting volunteers and runners in harms way unnecessarily. He quotes a" medical expert on radio 5" but if that is going to be the standard I really worry about parkrun and the decisions they are taking. Experts all over the world (and the World Health Organisation) advise against this sort of strategy and I think we've seen the consequences on this in other countries.

KJ · 14-03-2020 09:08PM

plodder wrote: »

Looking at some of the numbers in NI this morning, I don't see any evidence of that happening. Many events are down slightly, and a few up by a small amount.

It probably didn't happen much but I know for a fact some people from Louth went to the Castlewellan Parkrun this morning as I saw them posting about it on Facebook.

average_runner · 15-03-2020 09:18AM

adrian522 wrote: »

So they are going to follow the government guidelines in each country and not make any determinations themselves. Fair enough I guess but obviously the UK and Ireland are following different paths on this and its strange to have such differing policies in 2 jurisdictions beside one another.

I think they are showing a complete lack of leadership and they are putting volunteers and runners in harms way unnecessarily. He quotes a" medical expert on radio 5" but if that is going to be the standard I really worry about parkrun and the decisions they are taking. Experts all over the world (and the World Health Organisation) advise against this sort of strategy and I think we've seen the consequences on this in other countries.

UK are changing their approach, getting in line with the rest of us now.

Sunny Dayz · 15-03-2020 10:17AM

I’m glad parkrun Ireland made the decision to suspend parkrun for the foreseeable. I was RD last weekend, and I was quite nervous about it. What if the virus was inadvertently passed around the parkrun? I went in earlier than usual that morning and cleaned all the equipment and tokens with anti-bac wipes. I had hand gel available. I tried to keep enough distance from people but it was difficult to do once people started crossing the finish line. A lot has changed in the week since then and the correct decision was made by parkrun ireland.

robinph · 15-03-2020 03:18PM

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I’m glad parkrun Ireland made the decision to suspend parkrun for the foreseeable.

Don't think it can be laid completely at the feet of each country team. The decision is still going to be lead by parkrun HQ policy from the UK, and that is for each country to follow the local government guidelines.

South Africa, Australia, New Zealand were all still running this weekend. Doubt anywhere will be next week, but neither the praise or blame for what events took place or not this weekend should be directed at parkrun. They are just following the guidelines they have been given in each country.

annapr · 15-03-2020 05:55PM

adrian522 wrote: »

Spare us the whataboutery.

It's pretty irresponsible for parkrun to continue when most sporting organisations have stopped not only games and large gatherings abut small things like training sessions.

Having non essential events like parkrun will only speed up the spread of the virus, particularly in NI when people from the south will travel to NI to partake and spread the virus when they return.

Head in the sand stuff from the parkrun HQ, no leadership whatsoever.

I could not agree more with this. parkrun HQ has not covered themselves in glory at all.

Also, let's remember these are community events run by volunteers... many of whom might be in at-risk categories. And anyone who has seen the token handling at a junior events, for example, knows that every germ going is hitting those tokens. :eek:

annapr · 15-03-2020 06:00PM

robinph wrote: »

Don't think it can be laid completely at the feet of each country team. The decision is still going to be lead by parkrun HQ policy from the UK, and that is for each country to follow the local government guidelines.

South Africa, Australia, New Zealand were all still running this weekend. Doubt anywhere will be next week, but neither the praise or blame for what events took place or not this weekend should be directed at parkrun. They are just following the guidelines they have been given in each country.

The decision in Ireland was actually being lead by some of our local event teams, we had to wait for hq to catch up. We were cancelling this week, no matter what policy was coming from the UK.

I love parkrun events, but I'm very disillusioned with the central leadership on this topic.

opus · 15-03-2020 06:30PM

In parkrun's defence I imagine they were overwhelmed with all the announcements last Thur (don't forget it was only then all the government guidelines appeared although it seems much longer). It's not a huge organisation by any means so I wouldn't knock them for taking the advice of the government in each parkrun country as unlikely they have a virologists on staff to turn to.

Can't see parkrun in the UK going ahead next w/end tbh, their Health Secretary said this morning that it's a matter of weeks before they advise over-70's to self-isolate at home.

Just in case it's not clear, I'm a big supporter of parkrun as well & certainly think cancelling last weekend was absolutely the right course of action. As to things being back to normal by the end of the month, think we all know what the chances of that are....

Parkrun..

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