YouR health & wellness is always our top priority.
If you've seen us out and running, or you're thinking of joining us for a clinic or as a member but aren't sure if it's allowed or safe, we want to put your hesitations and worries at ease (as much as possible).
Firstly, let us just say that up until the COVID pandemic, we had never EVER cancelled RUNClub. EVER. Since we started. We have run twice a week, EVERY WEEK, every year for 21 years. But when the restrictions were put on - we listened, and we have been listening and following closely every step of the way. We paused RUNClub live and shifted to a fully online community. We were still out there running - together, but apart. We ran from our own homes, on our own paths and shared our journey's in our HUB.
While it's been a hard-hit to our business, as it has been for so many other small to medium (and even large) businesses (thank you for supporting local), we have stayed positive and we allowed COVID to show us new opportunities. We shifted online, providing the opportunity for others outside of community to join. And we created an incredibly interactive, supportive and kind online community this is THRIVING. It's actually been pretty amazing.
Then, as things have continued to change and shift, we have continued to as well. Re-starting our in-person training when it was safe to do so and putting a whole ton of procedures in place to keep everyone healthy and well. But since we have been allowed to, we have resumed running together in person. Why? Because we believe that we all need in-person community so desperately right now. We need community, connection, laughter, friendship, kindness, encouragement, time outside and ALL the endorphins we can create through movement. This IS a hard time right now - for everyone. But we believe (and know from experience), that movement makes it manageable. Truly. So please, if you can, join us. Even just online if that's your comfort level - that's perfect. But connect - with us, with others. Human connection and physical movement are critical to our overall health - physically, mentally and emotionally.
Speaking of health. Yours, and the health and safety of your family, friends, our healthcare workers and everyone in our community really is of the utmost importance to us. So here's what we are committed to doing to ensure everyone's safety, while providing an environment for connection and movement outdoors. At our in-person meet-ups we are:
Firstly, let us just say that up until the COVID pandemic, we had never EVER cancelled RUNClub. EVER. Since we started. We have run twice a week, EVERY WEEK, every year for 21 years. But when the restrictions were put on - we listened, and we have been listening and following closely every step of the way. We paused RUNClub live and shifted to a fully online community. We were still out there running - together, but apart. We ran from our own homes, on our own paths and shared our journey's in our HUB.
While it's been a hard-hit to our business, as it has been for so many other small to medium (and even large) businesses (thank you for supporting local), we have stayed positive and we allowed COVID to show us new opportunities. We shifted online, providing the opportunity for others outside of community to join. And we created an incredibly interactive, supportive and kind online community this is THRIVING. It's actually been pretty amazing.
Then, as things have continued to change and shift, we have continued to as well. Re-starting our in-person training when it was safe to do so and putting a whole ton of procedures in place to keep everyone healthy and well. But since we have been allowed to, we have resumed running together in person. Why? Because we believe that we all need in-person community so desperately right now. We need community, connection, laughter, friendship, kindness, encouragement, time outside and ALL the endorphins we can create through movement. This IS a hard time right now - for everyone. But we believe (and know from experience), that movement makes it manageable. Truly. So please, if you can, join us. Even just online if that's your comfort level - that's perfect. But connect - with us, with others. Human connection and physical movement are critical to our overall health - physically, mentally and emotionally.
Speaking of health. Yours, and the health and safety of your family, friends, our healthcare workers and everyone in our community really is of the utmost importance to us. So here's what we are committed to doing to ensure everyone's safety, while providing an environment for connection and movement outdoors. At our in-person meet-ups we are:
- Wearing masks when we meet, when we walk and when we cannot be 6 feet apart. Masks while running are optional if everyone can maintain a safe social distance. Masks are available from the lead coach for those they may forget theirs.
- Weekly sign-ups. To ensure that we stay under the safe limit for attendees, each week we email everyone in the clinic with the location of that week's run/walk. Those who wish to attend must sign-up by the deadline to be guaranteed a spot. Wait-lists are created for those who request to attend once the list is full. No "walk-ups" or last-minute attendance is allowed.
- Meeting in smaller groups. Rather than meeting in our big opening circle, coaches arrive early to grab their pace/distance sign and then spread out around the meeting location. Runners/walkers then find their small group, maintaining social distancing and wearing masks. Each coach has a list of the registered attendees that they check-off, ensuring there are no unregistered runners/walkers. They then go through a COVID safety screening and list of protocols with each group member to ensure protocol adherence.
- Eye-Fives only. If you're familiar with RUNClub you know we LOVE high-fives. On every pick-up, on every meet-up and generally just whenever we can. Plus hugs. All the hugs. But right now - no bueno. So, we "eye-five". It's not the same, but it's still something and we are grateful.
- Post-run coffee's/tailgates etc. have been suspended until such a time as they are deemed safe and acceptable by our provincial and federal governments.
- We have two protocol documents - one for registrants and participants and one for our coaches, that must be read and signed in order to participate in any in-person component of RUNClub. You can view them below.
|
COVID Protocols for Participants
|
COVID Protocols for RUNClub Coaches
| ||||||||
We are also always monitoring the changes, recommendations and rules set out by those endeavouring to keep us save and get us back to a COVID-free state. So as things change, these protocols and documents will also shift to reflect those changes. You can trust that we are on top of this and ensuring that your safety comes before anything else.
And of course, we are here for you! If you have any questions, concerns or puzzles about this or anything else related to RUNClub, please reach in to us. We would love to connect with you. Send us a note to: [email protected].
We do hope to see you soon. Stay safe and healthy friends. And remember, MOVEMENT IS CHANGE.
And of course, we are here for you! If you have any questions, concerns or puzzles about this or anything else related to RUNClub, please reach in to us. We would love to connect with you. Send us a note to: [email protected].
We do hope to see you soon. Stay safe and healthy friends. And remember, MOVEMENT IS CHANGE.
