WHAT TO EXPECT AT A RAINSHADOW EVENT in the covid era
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In the COVID Era Rainshadow Races will likely be different than our races in the past and maybe even different from races organized by other companies or individuals. And the changes may differ from race to race thanks to the evolving nature of the pandemic and the variety of differences in regulations each agency we get permission from dictates to us. In general, we will be taking a safe and low-risk approach. As much as we believe in the importance running and other forms of outdoor exercise for everyone's well being we also acknowledge that races and large group events are not essential. But they sure are fun and after safety having fun is our next biggest priority. 

Each race may use all, some or none of the following strategies: 
  • No race day registration instead registration will be done online, in advance only.

  • No race day safety briefing instead the briefing will be done by email and video sent out 24-48 hours before the race.

  • No race day bib/merchandise pickup instead items will be mailed to the runners in advance. 

  • Attendance maybe limited to just runners and volunteers, or maybe limited to just one friend/family/crew member per runner.

  • Upon arrival at the race parking lot all participants(runners, volunteers, crew, staff, etc.) must put on a face covering before exiting their vehicle and wear it at all times in the parking lot and start/finish area. Please don't arrive extra early. Please don't approach the starting area until it's time for your wave.

  • No mass starts instead runners will start in pre-scheduled waves of 10-30 runners. Runners will be notified in advance what their start time will be. The start time will be determined by expected finishing time of each of the runners to reduce the number of runners passing each other on the course. We'll start with the fastest runners. We will adjust cutoff times at the aid stations accordingly to allow the slowest runners to have enough time to finish the race. 

  • Once the runners have started their wave start and are no longer in the start/finish area they may remove their face covering if they can maintain 6 feet of separation from the other runners and trail users. The runners must wear face coverings whenever passing another runner or trail user when maintaining 6ft of distance cannot be accomplished. Runners also must wear face coverings when in an aid station area(there will be signs to notify/remind runners they are entering/exiting an aid station area) except while eating and drinking however we do ask that runners stay 6ft away from others in the aid station while doing so. And as runners approach the finish line/area they will again need to put their face covering on and keep it on until they get in their vehicle. Volunteers, staff and friends/family/crew will need to wear a face covering at all times that they are not in their own vehicle with their own household. An exception might be made for certain volunteer tasks/positions that keeps the volunteer 6ft or more from others at all times. 

  • Aid stations might be a lot more basic than in the past. We will try to offer drop bags at as many aid stations as possible so runners can resupply themselves. If we offer services beyond drop bags, it might just be water, or it might be a limited selection of foods and drinks, or it might be very similar to the wide ranging selection our runners have been used to at our races in the past. There are various factors that will determine what we can offer and it will likely vary from race to race. We will try to let the runners know as soon as possible what the aid station plan for each race will be so runners can be as prepared as possible.  

  • There will be no post race party and runners will need leave the finish area/parking area soon after finishing -- COVID regulations will likely limit the number of people who can be in the same place at the same time so as much as we'd hate to do it we'll have to ask folks to keep the socializing at the end of the race to a minimum. 

  • We'll try to have a system in place to have all of your drop bags returned to the finish line by the time you finish but in some cases that might not be feasible especially for the last aid station of the race so in those cases we'll mail the drop bags back to the runners after the race.  

We hope that as a community we can set an example for how to do events safely in the time of COVID. We appreciate everyone's adherence to the rules and understanding that this not ideal for any of us and that we all hope we can soon put COVID behind us. Thanks!

Questions or comments always welcome, please email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com !