The Club Bobble Hats have arrived
- Created on Saturday, 21 November 2020 17:18
- Last Updated on Saturday, 21 November 2020 17:24
- Written by Neil Gunn
Normally club kit would be sold from the clubhouse, but that is closed until 3rd December (at least), and in any case sales from the clubhouse involve cash handling. Therefore, if you want one of these please enter your details into this form (ORDER FORM) and pay the cost (£11 each) by BACS. The payment is to the usual club bank account; details are on the form.
Once you have paid, if you live within Macclesfield, Gawsworth, Bollington, Prestbury, Sutton or Langley I can deliver. Alternatively you can collect from my home. If you live further afield I can post the hat, for an extra fee of £2.95 (2nd class postage). I will deal with deliveries and postage in batches so there may be some delay. If you want to collect, please ensure you have paid in advance, then text me first to check someone is at home. My address and phone number are on the form.
Mark Godden
Club Treasurer
Â
Â
Run Macc Fest Charity Challenge 2020
- Created on Friday, 20 November 2020 16:36
- Last Updated on Friday, 20 November 2020 16:39
- Written by Neil Gunn
The 2020 Run Macc Fest Charity Challenge committee have donated the proceeds of £12,000 shared between the three local charities (Just Drop-In, Rossendale Trust and Cre8). Details about the supported charities and how the donations will be used to support their valuable work can be seen using this link. RUN MACC FEST 2020
Mandy Calvert (Event Director) is stepping down after 13 years in the role. The club committee and members wish to say a big ‘thank you’ to Mandy for such a tremendous achievement - without Mandy’s drive, organisational skills and enthusiasm none of this would have been achieved.
Mandy will be a hard act to follow – however, the club is hoping that a successor will be found to take the event forward in 2021 especially in such difficult and challenging times.
Bob Lynch
Club President
Â
Armistice Day - a time to reflect and plan
- Created on Wednesday, 11 November 2020 17:20
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 November 2020 17:21
- Written by Neil Gunn
Today marks the 100 year celebration of the service for the unknown soldier.
So now is maybe a good time to be positive and to plan ahead.
Try to continue training and arrange to go out with someone different on a one to one basis. Whether it is a run, walk or trek, it may pay dividends.
It is  important to stay positive and enjoy what you can do, because it may be several months before large group training or competition can resume.
During this interim period we will try to get more volunteers trained so that in time we can expand what we can offer. We have seen that people seem to benefit from the small group sessions. It allows better personal development in a safer environment.
For that to continue we need more helpers and trained volunteers. So if you have not already done so, please contact any of the club officers/section heads to see how this can be achieved.
NOTE: Currently the track remains out of bounds because the leisure centre is closed and unmanaged. Please respect this restriction.
However, any problems at the facility can be reported to the leisure centre duty managers (07814 166525) who are providing cover on a rota system 8-11am each weekday.
I look forward to some resumption of formal training .
In the meantime, please be positive and stay safe.
Â
Bob Lynch
01625 829229
Â
Interim Statement #2 & #3 concerning club training from 5/11/2020
- Created on Monday, 02 November 2020 17:24
- Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2020 15:44
- Written by Neil Gunn
*** UPDATE #3 - 5/11/2020 ***
Guidance has now been issued by EA (CLICK HERE) which confirms the restrictions described in update #2 below.
Basically all club activities must stop until the lockdown restrictions are lifted. However, people can arrange to run with one other person - now might be the time to 'call a friend' and arrange to run together (socially distanced of course).
Bob Lynch
01625 829229
*** UPDATE #2 - 2/11/2020 ***
While the final details are still awaited from EA and the government, following feedback from yourselves and the leisure centre please follow the guidance below.
Group activities can continue Mon/Tues/Wed of this week ONLY.
After that any training must be done privately on a one to one basis (please do not use the club Facebook Groups).
Track training can take place this Tues (3/11) and Wed (4/11) abiding by our current COVID regulations. After that when the leisure centre has closed, the track MUST NOT be used.
Please be extra vigilant  and ensure that you do NOT antagonise the public.
Stay safe and sane and please remember that the whole purpose of this second lockdown is to suppress the spread of this virus.
Bob Lynch
01625 829229
Â
Interim statement #1 - club training after latest UK Government announcement
- Created on Sunday, 01 November 2020 17:49
- Last Updated on Monday, 02 November 2020 17:21
- Written by Neil Gunn
Please read - update on future outdoor training
The new lockdown restrictions come into place on Thursday 5th November assuming they are passed in parliament on Wednesday.
ALL group training sessions will then cease.
It is expected that EA will  specify the precise details on Monday 2nd.
Likewise we will learn from the Leisure Centre management if and when they will  have to close.
Mon-Wed training may be possible this week. I will update the website again once these details are published.
In the interim please exercise restraint and put yours and others health and safety first.
Bob Lynch 01625 829229
Â
Track and Race - a Covid-hit season
- Created on Saturday, 24 October 2020 14:39
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 October 2020 20:23
- Written by Sarah Dilworth
It goes without saying that due to the situation we found ourselves in in March of this year, the prospect of any Track and Field season seemed highly unlikely. With all club track training cancelled for the best part of 3 months, all the hard work that our athletes had put in over the winter months appeared to be in vain, despite the best efforts of the coaches to keep them motivated and encouraging them to maintain, as best they could, their fitness levels throughout lockdown. Coming back to training following our enforced sabbatical presented its own new challenges. Observing social distancing and all the other guidance provided by England Athletics has created obstacles that needed to be well managed and as a club I think we have done an incredible job to provide, albeit a reduced schedule of training to allow crucially, the younger age groups to get back some sense of normality.
Competition has been almost non-existent. Primarily we have had only the BMC and Trafford Open meetings to provide the much needed opportunity to compete and these have proved invaluable in allowing our athletes to record some great results despite all the difficulties that 2020 has thrown at us.
Way back in July, Finley Proffitt was first back into competition, setting some blisteringly fast times in the 800m (1.56.40), going sub 4 minutes in the 1500m (3.55.85) and an 8.40.08 3000m time in early September. His time in the 1500m broke a longstanding club record from 1988. Other middle distance runners to make the most of the limited competitions were Philip Goodfellow, PB in 800m, Dylan McGrath, PBs in both 800m and 1500m and Aadi Whitlock also setting a PB in the 800m.
In the sprints races, we saw 100m PBs for Sam Danson, Thomas Danson, Tom Willshaw, Callum Wain and Tom Farrall and an equally impressive number of PBs in the 200m, 300m and 400m from Tom Willshaw, Jack Farrall and Callum Wain.  Callum Wain’s 300m time of 37.61 set a new club record, breaking the mark that he set last year.
In the field events, we again had some very strong performances from the Danson brothers with Sam setting a new PB of 6.76m in the long jump, another result that once more broke a very longstanding club record dating all the way back to 1981. He later equalled this distance on a return visit to Trafford.
Two athletes who have turned out very regularly have been Callum Wain and Hayden Blunn. Â Both lads have been honing their skills as multi-event athletes. Hayden has had a very successful season culminating in an excellent performance in the Hexham Pentathlon, finishing 4th with a score of 2295 points, Callum followed suit with his first attempt at a pentathlon in early October, finishing with a Power of 10 UK top 5 ranking as a reward for his efforts.
These competitions have proved that although the situation we find ourselves in is less than ideal, with the dedication that these athletes have invested in their training it has still been possible to improve. Sadly, as Greater Manchester moves into Tier 3 the remaining Trafford opens are no longer available to Macclesfield Harriers.
It is very unlikely there will be any opportunity for an indoor winter season so lets hope that 2021 provides us once again with the chance to compete.
Simon Frith
England Athletics Update
- Created on Thursday, 22 October 2020 21:04
- Last Updated on Thursday, 22 October 2020 21:04
- Written by Ray O'Keefe
In line with government guidance on local tier restrictions, England Athletics has updated its guidance and documents. The main update is to outdoor activity guidelines within each of the 3 Covid tier restrictions which may impact on some members travelling to and from different tiers.
T&F training can continue in the Covid secure environment at club sessions at Macclesfield track, but we would like to remind everyone attending training to continue to abide by the rules, including no socialising before and after training, no mixing of groups in the track facility area, use hand sanitiser before and after training and maintain social distancing at all times. As always, please do not attend training if you have been told to self isolate, have Covid symptoms, have a positive test or have recently returned from a restricted travel area.
Track & Field - COVID-19 Training Plan (update October 2020)
- Created on Wednesday, 07 October 2020 17:40
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 October 2020 17:40
- Written by Neil Gunn
Our T&F Covid Training Plan has been updated to include requirements around access to the Club House toilets - entry to the building is strictly limited and face masks must be worn inside the building. Â Many thanks to all coaches for their excellent support and to everyone for continuing to maintain our Covid Secure environment. Â The latest version of the Club Plan and EA guidance can be accessed via these links:
MHAC Track and Field Plan - October 2020
Barbara Murray
Â
RunMaccFest 2020 Charity Challenge closes 1st October 2020 – Last Chance to donate
- Created on Sunday, 27 September 2020 08:13
- Last Updated on Sunday, 27 September 2020 08:13
- Written by Ray O'Keefe
Congratulations and a massive Thank You to Macclesfield Harriers and everyone who has taken part in the 2020 RunMaccFest Charity Challenge, you are all awesome!
We smashed the 15,000km target!          We have raised an amazing £12,000!
We are closing the challenge on 1st October 2020. Last chance to donate!
https://www.givepenny.com/run_maccfest_run_macc_fest_charity_challenge
All money raised will be donated to The Rossendale Trust, Just Drop-In and Cre8.Â
Podium Performances from:Â
Top Fundraiser – Rob Gittins for raising £825 and completing his amazing TanHill to Cat & Fiddle ultra-adventure. https://www.givepenny.com/tan-hill-to-cat-and-fiddle
Top Hobbit– Oscar Trevena (aka Frodo!) for raising £580 taking that golden ring up Shutlingsloe with a band of elves! https://givepenny.com/oscartrevena_run_macc_fest_charity_challenge
Top Distance - Mark Burley completed 1255km including a successful Bob Graham Round.
Big Thank You to
The brilliant RunMaccFest Committee especially:
Susanne Tidswell, Ray O’Keefe, Dave Larkin, Steph Woods, Dave Buxton, Martin Rands, Richard Ainley, Steve & Fran Swallow, Julie Smith, Harry Newton.
Our local business and community sponsors:
Macclesfield Town Council, JJ Cookson, Cirrus, Quince Consultancy, Jarl Henry, Traditional Barbers, Paul Smith Dental, Red Willow Brewery, Janus Business
Mandy Calvert
RunMaccFest Race Director
Â
Reminder of current guidelines for Club organised track training and runs
- Created on Monday, 21 September 2020 19:46
- Last Updated on Monday, 21 September 2020 19:46
- Written by Ray O'Keefe
For track we must maintain the covid secure environment. ALL athletes need to stay in their specific training bubble and MAINTAIN 2m distancing. If this is not observed, coaches will deal with the situation even if it means asking athletes to leave. Plans to extend the offers of additional athletes moving from Wed to spare slots on Tues/Thurs will be put on hold. So we will continue to offer training on Tues/Wed/Thurs.
For road/trail and fell, where it is more difficult to offer a covid secure environment, particularly with the possible interaction with members of the public, efforts will be made to choose routes and times to minimise this risk. Leaders must feel comfortable with the numbers they take out. One leader with 9 runners is still allowed under the current guidelines where there is a low chance of interaction, but some runs may need to be restricted to one leader with 5 runners. Leaders will be making this final decision. As before, attendees must be pre-booked, a current paid up member, completed the club covid H&S questionnaire and be covid free.