Forum Topic

A message to runners during the lockdown.

Runners, Could you kindly observe the governmet advice and maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from others? Just becasue you feel no symptoms does not mean you aren't an asymptomatic carrier and just becasue you are moving quickly doesn't mean you can't pass it on to the people you pass walking on the pavement. Stick to the park and keep your distance.

Sandra Notarangelo ● 2417d36 Comments

Totally agree. I have to deliver post on upper mall probably only 10% give me space.

Paul Brown ● 2417d

Ive noticed an increase in the number of runners and i think that is down to gyms closed. Saying that,a infectious disease expert from the US on LBC radio said the day before we actually closed down places that gyms were not very clean places at the best of times and many who use gyms will know that and must be high on the list of places to close down with emidiate effect.. Id would expect Gyms to be closed for many many months ahead.

Julian Pavey ● 2417d

Very well said Sandra. They might also consider running on the roads rather than the pavements when they can do so safely.

Diane Brown ● 2417d

...........and stop spitting as you running, totally unnecessary.

James Smith-Jones ● 2417d

James - totally agree about spitting. I used to spit like everyone else when I was a schoolboy cross-country runner. I stopped spitting after my loving but stern Grandmother explained just how deadly TB in sputum could be. Her sister died of TB. The advent of anti-biotics knocked TB on the head for a while but drug resistant versions are now well established across the world. Our Borough and London as whole has a real problem.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2416d

We could do with more of those "no spitting" signs just to remind people who think they can do absolutely anything unless they are told they can't. It wasn't long ago there was fining for that and the dropping of cigarette stubs in the street - and naming and shaming for litter dropping in the paper and online.

Philippa Bond ● 2416d

Good point Sandra.I used to gym a bit, as I am sure we all did, and have a bit of a pop at the treadmill now and again. I have been for a couple of jogs recently (breathing through my backside after about a mile) and have taken with me a plastic bottle as a receptacle. Running in fresh air does make me need to spit, as I am neither as young or as fit as I would like to be and am not built like a runner so I huff and puff a bit.Ironical really, I used to take a bottle of water with me.

Keith Iddon ● 2416d

Beautiful morning and every dog Walker observed the 2m social distancing, the only people who didn't were joggers they just hurtled past people with virtually zero space puffing and panting and probably exhaling fine droplets of fluid.One women called out to a jogging Male telling him to social distance, he gave her the finger ! Too many inconsiderate idiots out and about.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2416d

Loraine,  what time did you go to the park and was it busy?Unfortunately the loop round the south and north side of the Thames across the 2 bridges is just too busy now and I cant risk doing it so I am exploring alternative routes.

Matthew Swain ● 2416d

We did our walk along the A316 over Twickenham bridge - down onto the towpath to Richmond Lock Bridge and back along the towpath to Isleworth - collect newspapers and home, and everyone - dog walkers, etc. were observing the distancing instructions. Then came the joggers who just barged along and especially crossing the lock bridge which is quite narrow, not for them observing any petty restrictions. Ditto the loony lycra clad cycling faction, I stood aside to let two go past as they have to carry bikes over the lock bridge - neither could even manage an acknowledgement let alone a thank-you. Yet others out walking mostly gave a smile and a Good Morning.

Vanessa Smith ● 2416d

Is collecting newspapers (daily?) such a good idea? Maybe you should get an online subscription - one less reason to go into a shop etc - until this mess is over.

Rob Reynolds ● 2416d

One person at a time in the shop being observed.

Vanessa Smith ● 2416d

Still much better not to go in at all. 

Rob Reynolds ● 2416d

Matthew Just before 7am, and for half of our walk only saw 2 other dog walkers in the distance. However, when we reached the Inner Circle from the Ornamental Bridge along the side of the lake and up to the Cascade there were many more people especially joggers and keep fit enthusiasts. Hope that helps.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2416d

Popped into Leyland. One person at a time and 2 metre gap outside but only about 3 outside waiting.Sainsburys pretty empty and huge ammount of meat on the shelves.Oh yes,huge ammount of A4 paper @£3.50 for 500 sheets. Piles of it. Grabbed three packs to share around

Julian Pavey ● 2416d

https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/spitting-fines-soar-hounslow-amid-11305724

Philippa Bond ● 2416d

Thanks it does,  you went quite early then.  I have been observing the riverside anything past 7am is late and packed with walkers so in my mind if I need to get a run it needs to be before 6am .

Matthew Swain ● 2416d

For the permitted purpose of getting some daily exercise, it could be said that it's not really necessary to go along the River or all round the park, however delightful it might be. That's clearly a pleasurable social activity, when the same exercise could be achieved by going up and down the street where you live, as is required in many other countries. All we need is one compressed telephoto lens shot in the papers and on TV of 'hoards of joggers enjoying themselves' to go with 'pubs packed with drinkers', 'crowds strolling in the park' and 'commuters crammed into trains' and the rules will probably be changed.

Peter Evans ● 2415d

Matthew Chiswick House doesn't open its gates until 7am, Turnham Green, Back Common and Acton Green are all available anytime. You could do a good run around Back Common and onto Acton Green or vice versa, just a suggestion

Loraine Pemberton ● 2415d

...couldnt agree more Sandra. Complete uncaring, dangerous idiots abound - ratio of about 70% i'd suggest are either too close, running too fast in crowded areas or sweat and other bodily fluids flying around  - and most arent exiled gym runners either- they make no concession that there's more people around or that there's a bleeding epidemic going on - and dont get me started on cyclists, particularily along the river - saw a girl nearly totalled by a chap who was doing around 30 mph the other night. Who cares about your PB time - you *&**head!

Tim Garfoot ● 2415d

Had to stop delivering mail in lower/upper mall today because to many people not given me space.Especially joggers.

Paul Brown ● 2415d

An aided trip up by a stray leg wouldn't go amiss in such cases.

Anne England ● 2415d

I posted this message on its own thread last week, but I think it's more relevant to this one:This is on a similar topic to the one about joggers in Chiswick House Grounds. I've noticed recently that when some people go for a walk round the grounds in groups of two or three, they often spread out across the path. This leaves the required couple of metres between members of the group, but means that anyone coming the other way has to pass close to at least one of them. Could I suggest that if you are going to walk in this way, you might keep an eye open for people walking towards you so that one member of your group could drop back and leave a larger space for that person to pass? This is not a rant, and I'm perfectly happy to see groups of people walking round those beautiful grounds, but it would show consideration to other walkers in these strange and worrying times.

Colin Jordan ● 2415d

I agree with some of the views about runners, particularly the spitting. However I run along the towpath regularly and walkers need to get their heads out of their mobile phones and not take up the whole of the path so runners can get by. Walk to one side or the other, no smack in the middle. The path is actually for both of us.

David Powers ● 2415d

Ditto for cyclists - GET A BELL! So that when you cycle up behind people on the towpath we can move aside to let you through.

Vanessa Smith ● 2414d

The bell is a Catch 22. It might surprise you but quite a lot of walkers on the towpath take huge exception to a bell being rung and can get very abusive. It seems like we need three separate tracks for walkers, joggers and cyclists to exist in harmony on the towpath. I do all three activities on it myself and I am getting more tolerant over time.

Paul Campbell ● 2414d

There are pinchpoints on the towpath where there is not enough room for all three modes of transport.Get the cyclists back on the roads where they belong.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2414d

Go away Jeffrey

Paul Campbell ● 2414d

Sorry, still here. It's a democracy you know.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2414d

Or would you rather curtail free speech, PC?

Jeffrey Cope ● 2414d

I just don't want to get into a debate with you about your reactionary fantasies. Haven't you got any like-minded mates you can video chat to on Zoom instead?

Paul Campbell ● 2414d

What is Zoom?

Jeffrey Cope ● 2414d

Precisely

Paul Campbell ● 2414d

"as they have to carry bikes over the lock bridge - neither could even manage an acknowledgement let alone a thank-you."They never do. They think they own the world! Arrogant and self-centered.

Steve Taylor ● 2414d

What is Zoom?A stock which you ought to have bought

Matthew Swain ● 2414d

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DMo6Ju8SJ8o

James Smith-Jones ● 2414d