Run Macc Fest Charity Challenge
- Created on Friday, 17 July 2020 13:35
- Last Updated on Friday, 17 July 2020 13:35
- Written by Ray O'Keefe
RunMaccFest 2020 had set a £15,000 charity fundraising target and we fully intend to stick to that!! We have decided to host a charity challenge, challenging the people of Macclesfield and beyond to run 15,000 Kms for £15,000. (15,000 is approximately the total Km’s run by last year's runners). We are asking runners out there of any age and ability to put kilometres into our totaliser for donations to our three charities. Simply run, log your kms and donate!!  You can donate yourself or get others to donate in your name. The link to sign up with more details is here:
https://www.givepenny.com/event/run-macc-fest-charity-challenge
By taking part in Run Macc Fest’s Charity Challenge you can make a real difference to these charities who themselves make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Your support means so much to them and they need our support this year more than ever before.
Phased Return to T&F Training - update
- Created on Thursday, 16 July 2020 21:15
- Last Updated on Thursday, 16 July 2020 21:17
- Written by Sarah Dilworth
Our phased return to T&D training will being on Tuesday 21st July.
We will be operating on 3 evenings: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Athletes (those who have paid their membership renewals only) will receive an invitation from coaches to a specific session and must only attend their allocated session - they will be given a day, time and track zone to report to. Training is being pre-booked in this way to comply with the strict conditions the club must follow, including the ratio of one coach to five athletes. Therefore, you MUST NOT turn up at the track if you have not been allocated a space on that day. Doing so may lead to sessions being cancelled. Please ensure that you have read the club plans, risk assessment and EA guidance prior to attending any sessions - these are being reviewed and updated regularly and the latest versions can be accessed vial these links:
Risk assessment -Â http://www.mh.k313.com/mh/track/UKA-COVID-Risk-Assessment-July2020.pdf
Return to track plan -Â http://www.mh.k313.com/mh/track/Return-to-track-plan-July2020.pdf
England Athletics Guidance -Â https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/guidance-update-step-2/
Statement Regarding Resumption of Track and Field Training
- Created on Friday, 03 July 2020 09:41
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 July 2020 18:30
- Written by Sarah Dilworth
Since the Covid-19 restrictions were announced, all formal club training activities have been suspended in line with the guidance issued by England Athletics. Our regular training Track and Field venue, the track at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, managed by Everybody Sport and Leisure, has been closed since March. The leisure centre had been planning to commence a phased re-opening in July, but are currently reviewing this in the light of recent government statements. At present, the club hopes that the track will re-open on 1st August, although this is not confirmed.
England Athletics have updated the guidance on training and coaching, and currently state that it is possible for small groups of up to 6 (ie up to 5 athletes and one coach) to resume training, should appropriate risk assessment have been performed. One of the requirements of any resumption in training is that full social distancing measures remain in place at all times.
The Club’s committee have considered options to resume training activities in line with this guidance, and have endorsed a phased return to training, managed by thorough risk assessment and considering coach and facility availability, and the requirements of different training groups. The adopted approach is as follows:
1. The Performance Sprints group is the first group to resume training, since they require only a small amount of space to conduct their sessions, and can resume training without the use of shared equipment. Training commenced w/c 15th June. Two coaches are be available to each lead a group of 5 athletes in 60 mins sessions. Initial sessions are taking place on private land being made available to the group. It is expected that they will return to training at the track when it is made available to the club. All athletes are be in the U15 age group or above.
2. The Performance Endurance Group will resume training when the track facility is made available to the club. At present, it is expected that one coach will be available to lead two separate groups of up to 5 athletes at a time. All athletes will be in the U15 age group or above.
3. The Multi-Events Group is also expected to resume training when the track facility re-opens. All athletes will be in the U15 age group or above. As with Sprints and Endurance, this group is likely to have to be broken down into smaller groups, and the disciplines which can be coached are likely to be restricted.
4. The Adult Track Training Group is expected to resume training at the track a few weeks after the facility has re-opened. All athletes will be seniors, and the required group sizes and athlete-to-coach ratio will be maintained.
5. It is unlikely that the club will be able to resume training for the U11 and U13 groups until lockdown restrictions are further lifted. The large group sizes would make it very difficult to accommodate these children in small groups, given the number of coaches available. In addition, with younger children it is acknowledged that maintaining social distancing will be more challenging. Coaches are currently considering potential options for offering training to these groups, and will apply the learnings gained from the sessions with the older athletes.
UKA RISK ASSESSMENT - MHAC JULY 2020
Return to track plan - July 2020
(attached files updated 15th July 2020)
The club will continue to evaluate and adhere to the latest guidance from England Athletics, and will regularly review plans and risk assessments, with a commitment to increasing training activities and ultimately returning to full training when we feel that it is safe and appropriate to do so. Further communication will follow when updates are available.
For any queries, please contact Bob Lynch on 01625 829229.
Committee Minutes - 10th June 2020
- Created on Monday, 15 June 2020 13:09
- Last Updated on Monday, 15 June 2020 13:37
The minutes from the committee meeting on 10th June 2020 are now available.
This meeting was called to specifically discuss the phased return to group activity after the recent changes in guidelines from the UK Govt and England Athletics. Subscription plans for 2020/2021 were also discussed.
CLICK HERE to see the minutes/notes from the meeting. More details will be available from coaches/run leaders in each section of the club.
Lynne Graves
Club Secretary
Runner's World - Shoe Test Summer 2020 - Testers required
- Created on Wednesday, 03 June 2020 18:37
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 June 2020 18:37
- Written by Neil Gunn
RW require a number of testers from MH&AC (members only, minimum age 18 members, only shoe size 4.5 to 12) and preference will be given to club members who have not tested before. You will be notified if you have been chosen (or not) as one of the names to be submitted to RW.Â
Please complete and submit this form if you wish to take part in the Runner's World (RW) Summer 2020 shoe test (this is for a variety of shoe types).Â
RW SUMMER 2020 TESTER FORM
Please only apply to be a tester if you feel that you can give it the time necessary to do the testing especially during this unusual period. In addition, if you have very specific requirements from a shoe, or perhaps you are carrying an injury, testing may not be for you.
The testing is a minimum of 30 miles and 6 runs. You will need to provide full and detailed feedback using our online form after you test.
Closing date/time for submitting your name is 6.00pm on Sunday 7th June 2020
If you are selected it does NOT mean that you will get shoes, as that depends on what make/sizes that RW are sent by the manufacturers.
The shoes are expect to be with RW very soon and feedback will likely be for June end.
Distribution will be socially distanced from Mel Whittaker's house.
If you are selected and you find that the shoes do not suit you PLEASE DO NOT continue testing - contact Mel (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
) to discuss options.
Athletics Guidance 2nd June
- Created on Tuesday, 02 June 2020 20:01
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 June 2020 20:05
- Written by Julian Brown
Further to the information below, updated guidance is available:
 - From England Athletics https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/guidance-update-step-2/?fbclid=IwAR2t-9bjZ-t3p0OtuC_pM0OUbYqxGkmD7kb2V3QHECuEEOhuGz7IgRx9vbA
 - and from HM Government https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
Macclesfield Harriers - Group running remains suspended
- Created on Friday, 29 May 2020 16:23
- Last Updated on Saturday, 30 May 2020 16:21
- Written by Neil Gunn
Although the latest government advice allows some increased social interaction, this is purely domestic and within families.
Therefore until the situation is expanded further to include running groups, NO group running should be undertaken. It should remain as privately arranged 1:1 with social distancing.
Link to latest England Athletics guidance (15 May 2020)
Link to guidance for Group Leaders and Coaches
Going forward, qualified Group Leaders may start to think about how we could return to some level of group training at some point in the future. Factors to consider ....
- How to control it
- How to avoid it being advertised as an event
- Location - the place where it starts and finishes should be away from other people
- Route -Â the route should be away from roads as much as possible and where there is unlikely to be others.
- Time - choice of time is also important.
The above points are NOT allowing you restart group running - BUT asking you to think about how you would be able to do it safely at some point in the future.
Bob Lynch (Club President)
29 May 2020
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Macclesfield Harriers – continued suspension of track training
- Created on Friday, 29 May 2020 16:12
- Last Updated on Friday, 29 May 2020 16:13
- Written by Neil Gunn
Please note that NO formal track training by Macclesfield Harriers can resume until the facility has been reopened and managed by the Macclesfield Leisure Centre.
Currently the leisure centre is due to reopen on the 6th July 2020.
You are urged NOT to use the facility for technical event training as you are NOT covered by UKA /EA or Leisure Centre insurance.
Bob Lynch (Club President)
29th May 2020
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Update on Northern T&F Championships 2020
- Created on Thursday, 23 April 2020 06:19
- Last Updated on Thursday, 23 April 2020 06:19
- Written by Neil Gunn
Please see the following update about the Northern T&F Championships 2020
Bob Lynch
Updates from Bob Lynch
- Created on Thursday, 02 April 2020 16:50
- Last Updated on Thursday, 02 April 2020 16:50
- Written by Neil Gunn
Bob has a few updates to share with club members...
1. EA are running a whole series of webinars covering a range ofathletics disciplines that people might want to access . They are throughout April and can be accessed free through englandathletics.org
2. DBS renewals (Coaches and Leaders) through UKA , please just continue to quote me as the verifier, although I need to find out how I am allowed to verify them without seeing the necessary documentation.
3. AW (Athletics Weekly) has suspended publication , but I understand they will be making topics available on line
4. T&F - The Cheshire league has now been cancelled as well as the YDL. I fully expect the same to happen for the NM & Lleague. Prepaid affiliation fees to the leagues will be carried over to 2021 club subs and EA competition levy fees have been delayed until 1 July ( already posted by Mark Godden on club website)
Bob Lynch