With the track and field season now underway and the pressure for track space increasing we would like to draw everyone’s attention to some health and safety and track etiquette to be observed by all during Clonliffe Harriers training time at Morton Stadium.
Clonliffe exclusive training times in Morton Stadium: Tuesday and Thursdays 7 PM to 9 PM, Sunday mornings 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM only.
For any of our members looking to train outside of these hours you must make arrangements with DCU direct. Clonliffe members can avail of a reduced rate for individual track bookings of €5.00. In order to avail of this rate, you will require a log in to the DCU Sport App. The app is available free to download from Apple & Android. Just search for DCU Sport. Please contact sports.complex@dcu.ie where you can request a log in.
Please note there is no access to Morton Stadium outside of Clonliffe hours without a paid booking. Payment is available via the app.
During Clonliffe times we request that all groups stick to your allocated lanes and times, there is of course flexibility, that is a matter for discussion between the coaches having use, if for example your group wishes to get on the track earlier than the allocated time, please discuss this with the coach currently in ‘possession’ of the lane/slot. Furthermore there is not exclusive lane usage at any time and several groups will be using the same lane at the same time, so traffic management is key.
Track etiquette:
Please do not do warmups on the track, warm-ups should be done on the infield (ensuring of course that the infield is free from field event training), on the outside of the track on the tarmac or outside the stadium.
Likewise for cool down.
Please do not come onto the track until the group is ready to start the rep, we wish to avoid a situation where there may be a group of 20 athletes standing on the track with still 30 seconds to go, as your group will not have exclusive use of that Lane.
Coaches please coach from the infield rather than on the track and possibly impeding athletes using outer lanes.
All recoveries must be done off the track, we cannot have a situation where a group is doing a 200 rep and then jogging the other 200 in the lane. For recoveries move to the infield, checking of course that there are no athletes on your inside and of course checking for field event training.
All on track running must be done in an anticlockwise direction. All strides likewise in an anticlockwise direction. No head-on collisions please!
Athletes please be aware of track etiquette and if you are coming upon a slower or stationary athlete shout ‘track’. It is up to all to try and avoid impeding one another, however, if an error does occur and you as an athlete are impeded please draw breath and try to keep calm! Please athletes do not take out your frustrations on a fellow athlete or coach. Please respect all.
Javelin and other throws – javelin throwing takes place on the infield, all athletes need to be aware of this. The infield area where javelin is taking place must be taped off and no one can encroach upon that area. Athletes training on the track please do not run across the infield.
The outside practice cage is available for other throws.
Jump pits: can we request that all sand is swept back into the jump pits and the covers are put back in place after use.
Special note on car parking:
We are acutely aware of car parking issues, there is car parking available at both Clonliffe Harriers and the main reception side of the stadium. Car parking is limited. The Clonliffe Harriers car park operates on a one-way system, cars come in the main Clonliffe Gate and exit via the middle gate.
Please do not park in front of Morton Stadium access storage doors or Clonliffe storage doors. Do not park on the grassed areas.
To alleviate pressure on the car park if at all possible can we ask athletes to carpool. If you live close by, can you run or walk to the stadium rather than drive? With the summer on the way it might be more pleasant to run to the stadium as part of your warmup.
Parents of juvenile athletes, if you are simply dropping off, can we request that you might Park elsewhere and walk your child across the road to the stadium. If you are staying for the session there is no problem with you parking in Morton Stadium, if however you are not staying for the session, can we request that you ‘drop and go’, so that parking spaces are freed up and available.
The club captains and club committee would gratefully appreciate the cooperation and assistance of all on the above.