Well thank you QLD Premier, that was a nice Sunday surprise.

Great news, group sessions are back with a few changes. We will continue to run Thursdays group session virtually however the opportunity to run a group session on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning was too good to pass up.

Above is our Club COVID Safe Plan, please make sure you read and are aware if you are going to attend our group session. If you haven't yet bought access to group sessions then remember they are currently discounted during COVID-19 crisis. You can buy these over in the Team App Store.

We are pleased to announce that run sessions will be returning when the Stage 2 restrictions come into effect and our first running session is planned to be Tuesday 02 June so mark it in your calendar. 

To help facilitate a return to running sessions we need to make sure all members have Team App on their mobile device and they have requested to be on the Fortius Running Club team. This will be vital in ensuring we meet all of our obligations set out by the QLD government. We also encourage the use of the COVID SAFE app.

If you don't have Team App yet please see the below instructions for more information.

You will now be required to RSVP to the running sessions so that the coaches can keep track of who is attending should any contact tracing be required. All members that intend to come to the session must RSVP in advance. This is non-negotiable. If you turn up to a session and have not RSVP'd you may be turned away. Training sessions will also be capped to ensure we meet the set government requirements of 20 (please note you will see a lower cap set in team app, this is to ensure the coaches and other observers can attend if required).

If the cap is reached and you RSVP you will be placed on the waiting list. The waiting list will self update as people update their individual RSVP. For example if you are first on the waiting list and someone updates their RSVP to "No" you will automatically be bumped up the list and have a spot. The waiting list is populated by time order so first in first served basis. 

You will be responsible for checking your attendance status the night prior to the session, the club will do its best to notify you of your status the night before via the Team App functionality however the ultimate responsibility lays with the member. Should you update your RSVP to "NO" after 8pm the night prior to the commencement of training this will be classed as a no show as you have reduced the ability of another club member to attend. If a club member does this causing you to be bumped up to the "YES" list and you no show because you weren't aware this will not count towards as a no show. Coaches will be aware of who updates their RSVP late.

If you RSVP "Yes" and then don't turn up there will be a two strike policy and should you do it again you will automatically be waitlisted for future events. We know this may seem harsh however we are endeavouring to make it fair and equitable for everyone.

We expect this requirement to be in place for approx 6 weeks until Stage 3 comes in, after which we will return to normal and return to training with SBTC.

When you RSVP you will be asked three questions, one, whether you have read the Fortius Running Club COVID safe plan (HERE) and two whether you are fit and well and not showing any signs of a cold, flu or COVID, and three that if you develop symptoms after your RSVP or generally feel unwell you will not attend training. You must answer these questions truthfully by confirming YES OR NO in the answer box and should anything change after you have RSVP'd you must update your RSVP to reflect this. Anyone showing signs of being unwell will be turned away and prevented from attending training. 

Coaches will take a roll call of attendance at the start of every session so please ensure you arrive early. There will be hand sanitiser available at the start and all attendees must wash or sanitise their hands prior to starting the session. Throughout the session all attendees must make sure they maintain the required social distancing at all times. This applies to after the session at coffee as well.

We are aware that some club members prefer to train by themselves during this time however we kindly ask that if you are planning on not running with the club and organising your own training with other club members that you plan to meet at an alternative location or do not meet until the training group has departed to remove any perception that we may be breaching the regulations. This also applies to coffee afterwards. We would suggest that you change out of club kit after the session if you are going to stay and enjoy a coffee.

Please remember at all times to keep a safe distance, maintain good hygiene practises at home and outside, stay home if you're feeling unwell, and most importantly look after each other.

Stay safe out there folks and remember this is just temporary provided we continue to play by the rules. If you have any questions please email info@fortiusrunningclub.com

Regards,

Simon
Club President

​How did you get into running? – Got into running because of encouragement from friends who are runners
 
What was the last race you’ve done? – Gold Coast Marathon
 
Would you say you’re more of an extrovert or an introvert, and how does it relate to your running? -   Definitely introvert. I’m happy to set my own goals
 
What’s your favourite thing about running? – spending time with other runners and trying different locations
 
What annoys you most? – people who are oblivious to other runners around them and take up the entire path - we are with you on that one Robyn
 
What’s the running highlight you’re most proud of? – completing Gold Coast Marathon
 
Do you think you’ll stay at your current distance awhile? Why or why not? – Happy to stay at Half Marathon – training is nowhere near as hard
 
Are you more of a “run to relax” or a “run to get it done with” type of person? – Definitely run to relax, I see it as “my time”
 
How much time do you spend running in a week? – Usually 3 hours running
 
What is your favourite regular course and why? – Love around New Farm to the City. Great path and there is always something different to see on the river
 
Were you running growing up? – Growing up, I couldn’t run more than 100m and that was a struggle
 
What is your definition of a perfect run? – Going somewhere different with good friends
 
What (running related) are you most proud of in the last year? – Most proud of completing the marathon
 
What runs makes you feel most accomplished? – Feel most accomplished after pacing Parkrun. IT’s nice to help other runners achieve a goal
 
Who (running related) do you admire most in the world? – Pip and Sherman (Firends). Their efforts both in their training and runs is amazing
 
If you were to win a race price money, what would you do with it? – Travel to exotic locations that have Parkrun
 
What race or run do you regret not doing in the last year? – Regret not doing a Parkrun in Tasmania, wasn’t near one on a Saturday
 
​If you see a puddle on the ground, do you run around it, over it or get straight into it? – Run around it, don’t love wet feet
 
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – love to be able to fly so I can see spectacular views
 
If you could go back to anytime in history, where would you go? – early 1900’s less technology, perhaps a simpler life, better work life balance
 
If you got to name a new race, how would you decide what to call it? – find a unique location with an interesting name
 
What would be the title of your running book? – one foot in front of the other
 
Do you have a favourite, book, blog or running resource you use? – other runners. I value their experience

To help get you through social distancing we at Fortius Running Club have created a 12 week challenge to give you something to aim for and work towards during these tough times.

For just $20 you will get a connected community, Strava group with weekly leaderboards, and a nice little medal bling at the end once you complete the 12 challenges.

Click the button below to join up via our team app page. Challenge Starts  Wednesday 01st April (yes we know April Fool's Day)

How did you get into running?
 I was drunk and impressionable and then somehow signed up for the Gold Coast half.
What was the last race you’ve done?
 Amsterdam marathon
Would you say you’re more of an extrovert or an introvert, and how does it relate to your running?
 Both. Most of the time I run when it's convenient but I always feel recharged after a social run.
What annoys you most?
 Smoking. So gross. Public lurgies are pretty feral too.
What’s the running highlight you’re most proud of?
 Probably Amsterdam marathon. I didn't get the start I would have like with a crowd that big but I felt like I had plenty in the tank through the whole run.
 Do you think you’ll stay at your current distance awhile? Why or why not?
 Haha no. Definitely going to cut the long runs back over summer.
What race is next for you?
 I'm going to say a trail run but I don't know where yet.
Are you more of a “run to relax” or a “run to get it done with” type of person?
 Run to relax. Even with a structured session I like the headspace that comes with running.
Your most favourite workout.
 Speed sessions - more endorphins!
Your least favourite workout.
 Hill sprints - the only kind of run that has ever made me barf.
What is your favourite regular course and why?
 Probably Mt Coot-tha even though I don't get there as regularly as I'd like to.
What is your definition of a perfect run?
 When you hit that running flow early and get to float along indefinitely.
If you see a puddle on the ground, do you run around it, over it or get straight into it?
 Straight in!
What is your favourite book, podcast, social media or resource in regards to running or endurance sports
I haven’t checked in for a while but I was hooked on Ultrarunner Podcast when it started up a few years ago. Not hooked enough to want to run another ultra myself but those nutcases are usually full of good stories. ​

This month we spend 2km with new dad Mike Garrett

What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend?
 Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane watching the red and white wizards Sheffield United, but it's a bit of a commute nowadays so probably parkrun and breakfast to catch up with folk on a Saturday and then a long run and Sunday Funday with a beer on a Sunday.
 
What type of music are you into while running, if any?
 Very rarely listen to music whilst I'm running. If I'm on an early morning run on my own there is often football (soccer) commentary on BBC radio from back home so I'm listening to that. Otherwise it'll be a podcast about football, MMA or crime, or an Audible comedy series.
 
 What was the best running vacation you ever took and why?
Probably the Madrid marathon a few years back which fell on the same day as El Classico (Real Madrid versus Barcelona) in Madrid. Marathon running followed by football, what's not to like!
 
 How did you get into running?
 Falling out with football after one too many knee surgeries meant I had to stop playing - and because of that I started to get fat!
 
What was the last race you’ve done?
SEQTRs about 5 weeks back. I've started to move away from roads to doing more trails in the last 12 months or so.
 
What’s your favourite thing about running?
Being able to eat pizzas and curries with a beer without thinking about putting on some timber.
 
What annoys you most?
Messy kitchens, badly cooked rice or eggs, and folk people tinkering with my cooking...and people who voted for Brexit.
 
What’s the running highlight you’re most proud of?
These keep changing - I completed my first 50k in December 2018 which was a great personal achievement, helped by a few Fortius buddies pacing me along the way so that's up there as a highlight.
 
What race is next for you?
 I've entered the 50k Guzzler trail race for next July which is my main goal at the moment but I will be doing lots of shorter road and trails between now and then, including the Gold Coast 50k as a relay with Sophie Kennedy from Fortius.
 
How much time do you spend running in a week?
We've just had our first baby so at the moment it's a lot more limited than usual! As a minimum though I'll get a midweek hour or so, parkrun on a Saturday with running or cycling either side of it and a longer Sunday run. When I'm actually training though I'd get out about 4 - 5 times a week.
  
What is your favourite regular course and why?
Either the Sunday social river loop on a Sunday morning with the New Farm Outta the Parkers, or some trails in Mt Coot-tha.

What (running related) are you most proud of in the last year?
My wife did her first marathon down on the gold coast last year, she only started running to shut me up from nagging her and initially said she'd only do the couch to 5k. 2 years later she smashed a marathon out!

Who (running related) do you admire most in the world?
Anyone who enters marathons knowing they are going to be out there for 4, 5, 6+ hours. They are the real running legends.
 
If you were to win a race price money, what would you do with it?
I'd have to own up to being registered in the wrong age category as that's the only way I'm winning some cash!
 
What race or run do you regret not doing in the last year?
The half Guzzler (50k trails) but I'm entered for next year so it's all good. I also regret not doing the marathon in the Falkland Islands when I lived there as it's the most southernly marathon, was bloody cold and windy though.
 
If you see a puddle on the ground, do you run around it, over it or get straight into it?
Slow down or speed up so that when I jump in I can splash whoever I'm running with.
 
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Renewable ACL's (Amen to that!)
 
If you could go back to anytime in history, where would you go?
1966 - Wembley, England. It came home.
 
What would be the title of your running book?
Runny Runs
 
What is your favourite book, podcast, social media or resource in regards to running or endurance sports?
Marathon Training Academy is my only regular running podcast, other sporting ones include Crime in Sports, Football Ramble and the Joe Rogan show.

Every year the committee picks our club races for the year. These form part of our Club Male/Female runner of the year awards which will run from 01 October 2019 through to and including 30 November 2020.

Our Club races will be the ones where the club will monitor the results and record these for the Runner of the Year results. Other results can be included in the running (pardon the pun) for the award however you need to submit these via a special link below so that we are aware of the result and include a link to your result and photo if required. With the numbers of events these days its becoming harder for us to keep track of them all.

SCORING INSTRUCTIONS

Any event where you wear club kit (Fortius Running Club Singlet or T-Shirt) or volunteer as a pacer will attract a single bonus point. You must race as yourself to earn points, if you race as someone else or someone else races as you, points WILL NOT be awarded.

Where the event is a double point event all points collected in the event will be doubled e.g. You ran a half marathon at a double point event in your Fortius Running Club singlet and finished 11th in your age category you would earn as follows.
11th Place = 6 points
Half Marathon = 5 points
Club singlet = 1 point
Total = 12 points x 2 for double point event = 24 points for the event.

Below are the list of the Club Target Events for the 2020 season, they may be subject to change without notice. To submit your result to an event not listed below, complete the form below.
​
SEQ Trail Running Series - Bayview - 24 November 2019
Yeerongpilly on the Green Relay - 30 November 2019
​SEQ Trail Running Series - Hinze Dam - 16 February 2020
SEQ Trail Running Series - Ewen Maddock - 01 March 2020
SEQ Trail Running Series - Daisy Hill - 15 March 2020 - DOUBLE POINTS
Brisbanes's Great South Run - 29 March 2020
QUT Classic (Fortius 5km Championship) - Date TBA
Runaway Noosa Marathon - 23 May 2020
Brisbane Marathon - 07 June 2020
Sunshine Coast Marathon - 16 August 2020 - DOUBLE POINTS
Gold Coast Marathon - 05 July 2020 - DOUBLE POINTS
Bridge to Brisbane (Fortius 10km Championship) - Date TBA
Melbourne Marathon - Date TBA
City to Surf - Sydney - Date TBA