BTC Peavine Falls Run

BTC Safe Race Plan

The Birmingham Track Club Executive Board formed a Safety sub-committee to discuss and formulate a race safety plan in consideration of the Covid-19 pandemic. These are the steps we will take to ensure all participants, volunteers, and spectators will be kept safe before, during, and after races managed by the BTC. Some of the items below may not apply at all races (for example, timing items do not apply to untimed races) but are listed here to be consistent across all BTC events.

Pre-Race Plan

1. Pre-race instructions provided to runners will encourage each to bring their own mask to be worn before and after the race (and during if they so choose).
2. Participants are urged not to attend if they feel sick or have been in close proximity to anyone who has been sick or tested positive for Covid-19.
3. Those that are “high risk” individuals will be urged not to attend. Please reference CDC guidelines for the definition of high risk: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html
4. Volunteers will be provided with masks and gloves for their own protection and that of other participants.
5. Hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes will be on hand to wipe down surfaces of tables and other touch points. Hand sanitizer will be available for participant use as well.
6. Tables for race bib pickup will be spaced and temporary markings will be placed on the ground at intervals of six feet to maintain social distancing.
7. Race day registration will be discouraged, and participants will be urged to pick up race packets off-site the day before the race if offered. If registering the day of the race, registrants must use their own smartphone (or other Internet-capable) device to register and registration will close 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the race.
8. While we are not currently limiting the number of participants in the race, we reserve the right to close registration if the number of participants exceeds that for which we can conduct a safe race.

Race Plan

1. Walkers may start early and will be asked to maintain space between one another on the course.
2. Runners will start in waves, grouped by estimated finishing time. Temporary markings will be placed at the starting line to space participants six feet apart.
3. There will be a timing mat at the starting line in addition to the normal timing mat at the finish line. Results and awards, if any awards are to be presented, will be based on chip time.
4. Runners will be asked not to congregate at the start line until a minute before your wave begins. This will all be clearly communicated on race day and volunteers will be there to help direct participants.
5. Runners will be asked to be considerate of others on the course and maintain social distancing where possible (when runners are passing each other going up/coming down the road).
6. Water stop(s) will be manned by masked and gloved volunteers who will be ensuring that runners are spaced out when approaching the tables to pick up water. When possible, we will secure individual small bottles of water and sports drink. Otherwise, we will utilize sanitized coolers and only our gloved/masked volunteers will be touching the coolers/cups prior to use. Runners will pick up their own cups/bottles from the water station to limit contact between volunteers and runners.
7. Runners will be encouraged to carry their own hydration as well so as to limit the numbers using the water stop.

Post-Race Plan

1. Upon crossing the finish line, runners will be escorted to the post-race hydration tables which will be some distance away from the finish line to discourage groups from hovering at the finish line. Masked and gloved volunteers will be present to provide hydration at the finish.
2. Food and beverage options at the finish line will be limited and will again be controlled by our gloved/masked volunteers.
3. Awards will be announced via email to all participants and any awards will be mailed/presented to recipients off site to avoid gathering after the race.
4. Hand sanitizer will again be available after the race for all to use.

We understand that there are many changes being presented, but we trust the excitement of being able to continue racing will greatly outweigh the limitations we must put in place to do so safely. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we implement this race safety plan. We are grateful for our Birmingham running community and for the support of all our BTC members and others that support our races.

Other General Safety Plans

The Birmingham Track Club has a medical professional on site for all of our races.

Should you have any questions about our race plan, please contact the race director via the link on the main race page.