Today’s easing of lockdown restrictions moves most of Scotland’s runners significantly closer to normal life. 

From today (Monday, 17 May), all of Mainland Scotland, with the exception of Moray, Glasgow and certain islands, will move to the reworked protection Level 2. 

Orkney, Shetland, Na h-Eileanan Siar, all islands in Highland (except Skye) and many islands within Argyll and Bute (Coll, Colonsay, Erraid, Gometra, Iona, Islay, Jura, Mull, Oronsay, Tiree and Ulva) will move to protection Level 1.

For the majority of runners in Scotland, the move to Level 2 will mean a return to more sociable and relaxed club sessions. All age groups can now train in groups of up to 30 – bearing in mind appropriate coaching ratios – with physical distancing during training no longer required. Athletes over the age of 12, however, should still distance before and after their sessions. 

In an even bigger change for Level 2 runners, competitions of up to 500 participants per day, with bubbles no bigger than 50, can now be held. 

On the Level 1 islands, the same distancing and group numbers are in force as in Level 2, but   competitions of up to 1000 with bubbles of up to 100 can now be held.

For runners still in Level 3, the maximum group size of 15 still applies, as does the requirement to physically distance during training sessions. Travel remains restricted in Level 3 areas. Adult runners living in Glasgow and Moray must only travel locally or to another Level 3 area to take part in organised sport; runners under 18 can travel to and from Level 3 areas in order to take part in organised sport in their usual location. Travel in and out of both areas except for permitted reasons is not allowed. 

It is expected that Glasgow and Moray will remain in the higher protection levels for at least another week.