Greater Peterborough Athletics Network

Thorney Running Club are part of this network, the aim of GPAN is to provide additional benefits to athletes of all ages by combining resources of a number of local running and athletic clubs. For example – the opportunity to try out other athletic events such as track and field or cross country with or without coaching from qualified specialists. Adults can widen their involvement in the sport by training as a coach or official. Officials courses include timekeeping, track and field judging and referees, Coaching can include endurance events, sprints, hurdles and a variety of field events such as throwing and jumping – specially discounted courses are available to our club members.

 In order to put on events we need to have members that are competent in what they do and willing to provide the assistance required – we can demonstrate our commitment by getting involved – it is good to give something back to a low cost sport that provides so much. 

Cross Country Running Academy:

 Aimed at school years 5 to 9 for children looking to improve their fitness and possibly with an eye on the school cross country races – a weekly hour long session has been organised starting Saturday 24^th September 9.30 – 10.30 at Stanground Sports Centre £1.50 per session.

 Paul Evans – International  Marathon Runner 

Paul ran 2.08.52 in Chicago 1996, he is meeting pupils at a number of Peterborough Schools on Tuesday 27^th September 2011, he will lead two sessions at Peterborough athletic track 6pm – 7pm for younger athletes and 7 – 8.30pm for senior athletes on the subject of transferring from a summer track training programme to winter road/cross country training.

 David Hemery – Olympic Gold medal winner

 David will be mentoring coaches at the Peterborough track on 23^rd November – we have been allocated 4 places – however we currently have no coaches so I propose to rebate our places so that other clubs can more fully benefit.

 Coaching Courses: 

The Athletics Leader Course will be held at the Peterborough Club Houser on 5^th November. The following week end 12/13 November there will be a Coaching  Assistant course at the Peterborough track – first come first served.

 Officials Development: 

An Officials Level 2 Course is to be held at Huntingdon 25^th March 2012 covering Field, Track and Timekeeping disciplines. Places can be booked directly on the England Athletics website.

A traffic management course is to be organised in the Peterborough area. Normal cost of £100 per person has been discounted to £20 (which TRC may pick up). Such a course would empower these individuals to stop traffic as a marshal (normally a marshal can only stop a runner leaving the police to control traffic – police attendance costs a significant amount so we need some individuals to do this course.

 Other Information:

 GPAN information has now been published on the PAC website

All GPAN members are invited to a social run organised by Yaxley Runners & Joggers on 2/01/2012 at 10.00 from the Folksworth village hall. A great way to familiarise yourself with the Folksworth 15 mile course although the runs range from 5 – 8 miles

Conclusion:

 You will see that quite a lot is going on – not only for younger members, seniors and helpers – but also to attract ‘new blood’ into the sport and potentially more members for our club.