Gibson: Maintaining a regular running schedule and staying in touch with community is important

Coaching camps and regular community events, such as the weekly parkrun at Peace Park, aren't able to take place under current government restrictions but people are still able to go out and run solo or in pairs.

Those changes are enough to create a big mental barrier for some runners.

One of Bathurst's leading running coaches Wes Gibson, of Run Riot, said it's been great to see people doing their best to keep each other motivated during a challenging time for the community.

"It's hard especially for the kids who have missed out on Little Athletics State Championships and other cross country carnivals have been cancelled, so it's important they continue to get out there for their mental health," he said.

"When I've been out running I've been trying to say good morning or afternoon to everyone I've been running past. Every brief moment of passing is an important connection

Gibson's been pleased to see people taking on board new training ideas since in-person classes have been cancelled.

"The big thing is that everyone's still able to get out there and run and that's a great outlet. That's a real positive for everyone who runs, and I've also noticed a few people who have taken up running and walking," he said.

"I've been trying to show the people I've been coaching ways they can still train together as a family. I've been giving the kids I've been coaching ideas as well because they've lost a lot of the physical activity they've normally had, whether it be recess, lunch or weekend sport.

"It's a hard thing for me not being able to get together and strength a lot of those relationships, which is one of the main reasons why you do it.

"That's a big adjustment but if we can get it sorted we'll be back doing things like parkrun sooner rather than later."

Several major running events, like Ultra Trail Australia and the City2Surf, have been postponed until later in the year.

That could pose a problem for some of the city's leading runners like Gibson but it's not a conundrum he's concerned about at this point in time.

"People will have to look out for that but right now it's more about getting everyone sorted with the virus, and that means everyone doing the right thing," he said.

"That'll let us get back to what would be a normal schedule, but you don't have to be racing. One thing I've been doing is getting people to look at non-race goals and setting themselves more specific challenges."