For many runners, participation in running events are among the many things that we take for granted, that have fallen victim to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But while taking part in races may be off the cards for the time being, running outdoors is still considered as being safe in countries such as Singapore.

However, to reduce your chances of contracting Covid-19 when you go out on your regular runs, here are some precautions that you need to take note of.

1) Run Solo

With the new measures implemented by the Singapore governments last Friday, we should not gather even in small groups unless gatherings are with our immediate family members whom we are living together with. 

For example, a husband and wife can still run together but only if they are both residing together in the same house.

If not, this means that solo runs are on the cards; if you are a runner who needs the company of a large group to motivate yourself to run, it’s now time to embrace your own company and thoughts during your runs.

2) Try not to touch things when you run

When you run, try to make it a point to bring enough water to last you the entire duration of your run. 

Don’t rely on filling up your water bottle at public fountains, and if you need to cross roads as you run, don’t touch the traffic light buttons with your fingers. 

Instead, make it a point to use your elbow, or any other part of the body that is not likely to come into contact with especially your face.

3) Tone down the intensity

With no races on the horizon, you should use this period for base-building and easy runs rather than pushing yourself and doing hard workouts. 

And as well, hard workouts leave you feeling weak and exhausted and not only do you need the time to recover from them, but your immune system also takes a beating and this will make you more susceptible to contracting the covid-19 coronavirus.

4) Avoid running the course of a cancelled race

Runners with a local spring race cancelled may have been thinking of running the course anyway, but this is not advised because it is dangerous to do so. 

Many races utilise public roads and highways, and if these paths are not closed off to traffic as you are running due to the cancellation of the race concerned, then it is not entirely safe for you to run on these paths. 

Instead, if you need to run the distance, be it a 10km, half marathon or a full marathon, try and come up with an alternative “race” route that utilises public parks and park connectors and minimal roads and highways.

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