News Round-Up for April 2020


Stay at Home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives.

Coronavirus – all club activity cancelled

As members will be aware, all club activity has been cancelled until at least 31st May on the advice of the Government and England Athletics (EA). EA have also updated that all licensed competition (races) will be cancelled until at least 30th June. You can keep up to date on the latest announcements from EA on their website HERE

We will keep everyone updated as more information becomes available. Thank you to everyone for observing the Government guidelines regarding social distancing and running solo, or with members of your own household only, at this time.


Challenge Anneka!

(Sorry for the early 90s reference there, but what an awesome TV show that was!)

We currently have 5 different club challenges taking place, aimed at keeping members active and in touch with each other during lockdown. The challenges have all been created and set up/managed by different club members, which shows the collaborative and social aspect of our wonderful club to the fullest. Please do remember that all the challenges are optional and nobody should feel any pressure to complete anything they do not feel comfortable doing.

The current challenges (for anyone who has lost track!) are…

  • 10k relay nomination challenge on Facebook (thanks Mike K)
  • Video nomination challenge on Facebook (thanks Gary T and James O)
  • COVID-19 5k time trial challenge (thanks Ant)
  • Bleep Test challenge (thanks Andrew I, aka Captain Carrot)
  • Strava art challenge (thanks Andy M)

Have fun!


Challenge accepted…and completed!

The first club challenge we took on was the Netanya Challenge – which was lead by Mike Kibble and saw members pooling their daily mileage to see how long it would take to run all the way to Netanya, which is Bournemouth’s twinned town in Israel.

It took just 16 days to make it the 2,800+ miles and 103 members took part. Thanks to Mike for his hard work on this challenge, and well done to all who took part.

Here’s a photo of Netanya…you’re welcome…


Update from the April committee meeting

Minutes from the online committee meeting held on 14th April were sent out via email to all members, but can also be seen HERE

Tough decisions were taken in the meeting to cancel the club races (Littledown Marathon, Half Marathon and Littledown 5) for 2020, and also to cancel the Club Championship competition and move the AGM date back to 8th September. Please do take a look at the minutes for details of the meeting.


Training ideas from the coaching team

As per the email sent out to members on 3rd May, the coaching team have put together some ideas of training sessions which members can use to guide their solo training through this period of lockdown, should they wish. The sessions can be seen on the usual training schedule on the website HERE

Please remember to observe the latest guidance on social distancing whilst training and stay safe.


Kings Park running track – a no go zone

Just a friendly reminder that Kings Park running track is currently closed and should not be used at this time.


Check out the free England Athletics resources available on their website

Well done to our very own Angela Stephen, who won the first England Athletics virtual club night quiz and put Littledown Harriers firmly on the map!

EA have lots of brilliant (and free) webinars, quizzes, Q&A sessions, resources and offers to check out. Find out more information and sign up to any online sessions you like the look of HERE