Safety protocol information is current as of July 12th 2021.
Preface
Welcome back to ORRC running events. Working with the State of Oregon Health Authority, CDC, and local municipalities’ health and permitting agencies, we are once again pleased to host another in-person running event.
It’s important to remember we remain in the middle of a global pandemic and any time you are in public places or around others, especially those that are outside of your immediate household, you are at risk of contracting or spreading the virus, even asymptomatically.
In order to host in-person running events, ORRC is required by the State of Oregon to follow their safety requirements placed in effect for the safety of all. And that includes you! During this registration process, you will be asked to agree to the ORRC COVID-19 In-Person Running Events Safety Protocols in addition to the waiver of participation. ORRC participants and volunteers must agree to abide by and engage in safe and healthy conduct while at all events associated with this ORRC running event.
During Oregon’s reopening phases, runners and walkers are allowed to safely compete in modified in-person events with minimal event amenities, such as pre and post events. Runner and walker start times may be staggered over a 2 to 3 hour period in larger events to minimize potential exposure and crowding, following social distance guidelines. Outdoor events such as ORRC running events conducted outdoors will be controlled. Thus, COVID-19 exposure risk will be low should everyone follow these guidelines.
Participant Expectations
The following are expectations that ORRC expects from all participants to ORRC events:
- Do not participate in an ORRC event if you feel sick, have a fever, or have had contact with a person currently ill or recovering from Covid-19.
- Participants who are at high risk for Covid-19 complications should consult a physician before participating.
- Do not engage in traditional forms of physical contact, such as handshake, high-fives, hugs, etc.
- Do not participate in close group pictures or selfies. Always maintain social distance guidelines.
- Do not spit or “nose rocket” in public. Bring tissue should you be vulnerable to doing so on the course.
- Do not share personal items, such as hydration, gels, towels, etc.
- Masks covering both nose and mouth should be worn at all times except on the course. Masks are required at aid stations. Masks will be provided at the start area for those who forget theirs.
- Participants should use personal hydration. Aid stations have cups and personal hydration refill jugs.
- Participants whose actions do not meet these and other expectations included in this document and/or are creating a risk to themselves and others, may be required to exit the event temporarily or permanently. Participants and volunteers will be instructed to take any concerns to the Race Director who will address them as needed.
Registration
All registrations will be completed online prior to race day. Same day registrations will not be accepted. Last registration opportunity is at packet pickup.
Registration includes participants’ acknowledgement that they “ . . understand the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 in connection with their participation in an ORRC event and personally assume that risk.” This is an industry standard.
Packet Pickup
Packet pickup will be held prior to race day. No packet pickup on race day.
Packet pick-up safety requirements include:
- Sanitation stations are available
- Masks and social distancing are required
- Contact touchpoint areas will be sanitized after each participants’ visit.
- Participants can have others pickup their packets.
Each participant’s SWAG bag picked up at packet pickup may include:
- Disposable timing chip bib
- Event Medal
- Event Swag
- Goodies from our partners
Family Members Attending and Spectators
One family member of the same household may provide on-the-course support. Family members are not allowed at start and finish areas.
The State of Oregon Health Department’s current COVID-19 requirements prohibit spectators near the event start and finish areas, unless the participant is under 18 years of age.
Event Parking and Bag Drop
Participants will remain in their vehicles or outside of the start time staging area until 15 minutes prior to their pre-arranged start-time slot.
There is no bag drop option. Keep all your clothes and valuables inside your vehicle.
Health Screening
Participants will be asked health screening questions prior to start time. Arrive 15 minutes prior to assigned start time. Masks are required to be properly worn at all times when in the start and finish areas.
Participants will be asked by safety monitor volunteers the following questions prior to entering the start line staging area:
- Confirm participants’ identity
- Answer the following COVID-19 screening questions:
- Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?
- Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat?
- Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours? ○ Have you had a loss of taste or smell?
- Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?
Volunteers will also be screened before being assigned to position.
Traffic Management At The Start Line And On Course
Participants will walk in a single-file line maintaining 6 feet distance towards the start of the run.
Participants not in the current starting group will be asked to wait in their vehicles or outside of the start queue area until 15 minutes before their time slot
Stay to the right except to pass and when passing on the course, please keep at least 6 feet apart between other runners.
Start Line Protocol
Participants will sign-up in advance for a start-time staged 10 minutes apart throughout a designed period, such as between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
The starting area will only be accessible via a health screening checkpoint entrance and then accessible via the short corridor gate leading to the pre-marked 6’ social distance markings for participants. Participants will find a standing point and load to the back of the corral until all the points are taken. Volunteers will be available to help guide participants.
Oregon Phase I Start – 180 athletes per hour over 3 hours. Total 600 athletes.
- 3 athletes will start the event every 60 seconds
Oregon Phase II Start – 480 athletes per hour for 3 hours. Total 1500 athletes.
- 8 athletes will start event every 60 seconds
- Wave corrals will be set as three rows and cones will be staged to maintain at least 6 feet distance between each athlete as they queue up for their start.
No spectators will be allowed in the start area. Those not signed up as either participant or volunteer will be encouraged to wait for participants in the vehicle parking areas or other non congregated areas.
Aid Stations
Aid stations will be open at reduced frequency.
ORRC encourages participants to carry their own water supply.
- Participants will have access to cups at aid stations, where permitted, but will be expected to carry their own personal hydration (bottles, packs, etc.) and refill as necessary to reduce the need to hydrate more often at aid stations.
- Aid stations will have an increased footprint to avoid congestion. Tables will be at least six feet apart.
- Aid stations will allow self filling of personal hydration. Aid stations will be equipped with sanitizer wipes.
- Volunteers will pass water to the participants while wearing masks. Please put your mask on as you approach aid stations, for the safety of others.
- Participants will maintain social distance when approaching aid stations, approaching one-by-one and wait their turn. Only one person is served at a time at the aid station.
- Cups may not be used for a refill, even by the same person.
Finish Line
- Participants will have already received a pre-packed finisher’s kit which includes a finisher’s medal, SWAG, goodies.
- Volunteers will instruct the finishers to keep moving, not congregate in the finish area, and proceed to their cars.
- Participants are encouraged to host their own post running event food & beer celebrations away from the event. ORRC may not provide food and beer at the running event, in order to minimize contact and crowding.
- Participants will not be permitted back into the finish line area once they have crossed the finish line.
Participant Communication
ORRC will communication with the participants in the following ways:
- Pre-race emails and video communication from ORRC (make sure you’re looking out for these!)
- A week prior to the event, runners and walkers will receive a pre-race instruction email and video
- Social media posts and Pre-Race instruction videos
- Announcer on event day
- Throughout the duration of the event, announcements will be made to remind runners, walkers and volunteers to maintain their physical distance, sanitize and wear masks when not running/walking
Photos and Results
Athletes will be able to find their photos on our website and the results for the live event will be posted on ORRC’s website, ORRC.net
Awards Ceremony
Race results will be posted live at websites posted at the event as well as online. Check there for your status. There will not be an awards ceremony. Awards will be mailed to recipients.
Porta Potties
- ORRC will provide multiple Porta Potties at the start area for athletes to utilize.
- Porta Potties will be spaced 12’ apart from each other.
- Porta Potties will be sanitized by volunteers at least twice every hour.
- Sanitizer will be available at all porta potties
Sanitization Protocol
ORRC will implement infection prevention measures to protect all persons at our events. To ensure proper sanitation of all staff, volunteers, spectators, athletes, and equipment, we will be implementing the following measures:
- Ample signage on-site encouraging regular hand sanitizing
- Mark 6 ft social distancing spots throughout the venue in all high-traffic areas
- Discourage usage of other people’s equipment, phones, tools, etc.
- Require all athletes, staff, volunteers, officials, and spectators to stay home if they are feeling sick
- Place three hand sanitizing stations in the following areas
- Venue Entrance/Exit
- Start/Finish line
- Porta potties
- Porta potties
- Porta Potties will be cleaned regularly for the event duration
- Food
- There will be NO pre and post-event food at this race
- All volunteers will be required to frequently sanitize and/or wash their hands throughout the day
- Trash cans will be placed throughout the event venue.
All participants and volunteers are to take an active role and collaborate in carrying out the various aspects of this plan and update the protections, protocols, and training as necessary.
ORRC believes this plan will help execute a successful and socially responsible race event. We believe it will provide a safe and comfortable experience for runners and walkers alike to participate in an event within the CDC and State of Oregon guidelines. We have looked for ways to reduce risk during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the same time, allow our runners and walkers to once again safely participate in running events.