PaceSetter Book

Sustained Activities 7

7.5.5 Running for Distance – Mini Tack The layout for the mini track is as follows: WEB COPY ©EVEQUE A series of ten cones is placed as shown below with the 5 metres radius on the bend being measured to the centre of the cones. Such a track will give an effective measurement of approximately 50 metres, as the young athletes will be running or walking around the outside of the cones, which create ten segments of 5 metres. "A" START/FINISH

CONE

CONE

" A "

5METRE STRAIGHT

45˚

5METRE RADIUS

5METRE RADIUS

CONE

"B"

Runningorwalking direction.

"B" START/FINISH

One young athlete will start at position A and the other young athlete at position B. They start and finish on a whistle and compete for a specified time period (up to a maximum of 10 minutes). Once again their individual total distance can be recorded by the number of laps completed (50 metres per lap) plus the number of 5 metres segments completed for the final incomplete lap when the whistle is blown. 7.5.6 30, 40, 50 Club The 30, 40, 50 Club is an initiative that has been devised and implemented very successfully by the Athletics Association of Wales. Basically it allows the young athletes to achieve distance running or walking awards without undue pressure put on them. To carry out this activity, a one-mile course should be measured and marked out on, for example, a field, school playground or park. Each young athlete is given a record card and encouraged to gain stamps on the card for each one-mile that is completed. However, to ensure that the young athlete is not over-trained, he or she is only allowed to complete the one-mile course a maximum of twice in any one week period. Therefore, to become a member of the 30 Club it will take the young athlete a minimum of 15 weeks to attain this status, 20 weeks to become a member of the 40 Club and 25 weeks to become a member of the 50 Club. This is an excellent idea to encourage and motivate young athletes with sustained activities and will assist in ensuring a modest level of physical fitness. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE

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