COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for the 2021 CornerHouse Capes for Kids Superhero Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, April 24th, 2021
Prepared by Anderson Race Management in Collaboration with CornerHouse
INTRODUCTION AND THE WHY
CornerHouse is hosting a Superhero 5K Fun Run/Walk to raise money and awareness to prevent and respond to child abuse in coordination with April being Child Abuse Prevention Month.
CornerHouse is dedicated to prioritizing the safety of the runners and the volunteers associated with this event and is committed to following CDC guidelines and protocols in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to safely execute the Capes for Kids Superhero Fun Run/Walk.
Generally, events associated with a low or very low risk of COVID-19 transmission and low strain on the health system, like running or walking, have been considered sufficiently safe to proceed during this time. Over the previous months, Anderson Race Management has worked judiciously to create safety protocols for race events to ensure all racers and volunteers meet strict government requirements to allow the event to be held as safely possible. While COVID is a major focus, we feel the other are also important and our team has been working to find a balance. For the running community, a race/event helps maintain good health, while also raising awareness for a good cause.
• We believe running events can be made as safe as possible under these circumstances and can allow for a limited number of participants by maximizing space and resources available
• We believe in social distancing guidelines and have applied those protocols in appropriate situations to reduce risk of infection/spread
• We believe the current circumstances present a great opportunity to allow community members to participate in healthy lifestyle choices and while supporting CornerHouse’s mission to keep kids safe.
This is our plan to safely conduct the CornerHouse Capes for Kids Superhero Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, April 24, 2021.
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Anderson Race Management has used the guidance of the Minnesota Running Industry Task Force (MRITF) to develop this plan and is committed to providing a safe and healthy venue for all volunteers, and participants. The plan is administered by the Race Director or their designee who maintains the overall authority and responsibility. However, volunteers and participants are equally responsible for supporting, implementing, complying with and providing recommendations to further improve all aspects.
In developing and implementing a successful COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, we have collected information from national events industry experts, the MRITF, race directors, race volunteers and participants as to how their operational area can incorporate mitigation procedures.
This plan follows the industry guidance developed by the State of Minnesota, which is based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines for COVID-19, Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA) statutes, rules and standards, and Minnesota’s relevant and current executive orders.
It addresses:
• Ensuring sick volunteers and participants stay home and prompt identification and isolation of sick persons
• Social distancing of volunteers and participants
• Hygiene and source controls for volunteers and participants
• Venue cleaning and disinfection protocol
• Communications
The plan incorporates industry guidance provided by the State of Minnesota for recreational entertainment venues and other applicable circumstances. This includes additional protections and protocols for:
• Volunteers, participants, and spectators
• Access and assignment
• Sanitation and hygiene
• Handwashing
• Social distancing
• Managing occupancy
• Limit face-to-face interaction
To assess volunteers and participant health status, the following policies and procedures are being implemented:
• Volunteers and participants have been informed of and encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. They are not to report if they are sick or experiencing symptoms prior to entering the venue/start line.
• Volunteers are asked to sign and date a volunteer waiver indicating they agree that they have not been exposed to COVID-19 and that they do not have any symptoms on the day of the event.
• Volunteers and participants who have tested positive for COVID-19 during the prior 4 weeks, are instructed not to come to the race site.
VOLUNTEER HYGIENE AND SOURCE CONTROLS
In addition to our standard hygiene measures, these additional steps will be taken:
• Volunteers and participants are instructed to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or hand sanitizer frequently throughout the event.
• Hand-sanitizer with more than 60% alcohol will be available in located at various locations around the start/finish lines. These to be used for hand hygiene in place of soap and water, if hands are not visibly soiled.
• Volunteers will be asked to wash their hands upon entering the event site at the beginning of their volunteer shift and encouraged to do so regularly during their shift.
• All volunteers and participants are required to wear face coverings
at all times while on the event site.
• All participants shall be instructed that they are always to wear face coverings while on the event site, other than while they are running/walking the course, eating, or drinking.
• Extra face coverings will be made available by the event organizers for any participants who have forgotten or lost theirs.
• Volunteers and participants are expected to dispose of participant waste in provided trash receptacles and wash or sanitize their hands immediately afterward.
These instructions will be communicated by email before the event and via announcer onsite.
VENUE CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PROTOCOL
Appropriate and effective cleaning and disinfecting supplies have been purchased and are available for use in accordance with product labels, safety data sheets, and manufacturer specifications. Cleaning supplies used will meet the EPA’s requirements for use against COVID-19 and used to frequently clean all equipment and surfaces touched by participants and volunteers.
COMMUNICATION
Instructions will be communicated to all participants and volunteers about protections and protocols, including:
1. Social distancing protocols and practices
2. Practices for hygiene and respiratory etiquette
3. Recommendations or requirements regarding the use of masks, face-coverings and/or face shields by participants and volunteers
All participants and volunteers will also be advised not to perform their duties or participate in the CornerHouse Capes for Kids Superhero Fun Run/Walk if they are experiencing symptoms or have contracted COVID-19.
A full copy of this plan will be available at packet pick-up for anyone who desires a copy. Additionally, it will be placed on the Cornerhouse website and sent to all individual participants and volunteers via their unique email address. 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. This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan has been certified by Anderson Race Management and the plan will be shared by all who have any type of responsivity either as a participant or as a volunteer. It will be updated as necessary by CornerHouse and/or Anderson Race Management.
ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS AND PROTOCOLS
Other conditions and circumstances addressed in this plan that are specific to the CornerHouse Capes for Kids Superhero Fun Run/Walk include:
• A virtual option will be offered to participants to run the race on a date and location of their choosing at their own request.
• The event will comply with current gathering size guidelines.
• Runners will be encouraged to register online in advance.
All information will be sent to registrants in advance, posted at CornerHousemn.org and repeatedly announced via our PA system at the start. The running community is a very respectful and cultured community. It will be made clear that this is an opportunity to prove the impact of safety precautions at such events, and any disregard for our rules and restrictions could put the possibility of future events in jeopardy.
Registrants will also have to signify their understanding that the event could be converted entirely to a virtual run if the State of Minnesota, County or City guidelines change. Anderson Race Management and CornerHouse also reserves the right to transition to a virtual race if our region sees a surge of COVID-19 cases or other safety concerns prior to the event.
SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE MASK PROTOCOL
Social distancing of at least six feet will be implemented and maintained between participants and volunteers at the venue, aid stations, and during packet pick-up through the following controls:
• Race starts will be held in waves of not more than 250 runners/walkers and assigned to specific start times to allow for social distancing and limit the number of people in the event space.
• No spectators allowed. Those not signed up for the race will only be allowed to wait for runners and watch from their vehicle in the venue parking lots.
• Announcer instructions instructing participants to maintain social distancing and other guidelines.
• Participants will be instructed to arrive not more than 20 minutes before their wave start, to proceed directly to their corral and to stage themselves on their marking in the starting corral area without milling about. Participants whose wave is more than 10 minutes away will be discouraged from being physically present in the starting area
• Ample hand-sanitizer stations will be placed around the event site with extra focus on areas where there will be interaction between participants and volunteers.
• Runners will be encouraged to bring their own on course water but will be given one bottle of water post-race.
• Water will be available at aid stations/finish area and placed on tables for participants instead of receiving from volunteers.
• Runners will be encouraged to discard bottles in receptacles.
• “Face Coverings Required in this Area” signage and announcer instructions will be placed through the venue.
• All participants will be instructed that they are to wear face coverings at all times while on the event site, other than while they are running or walking the course, eating, or drinking. Extra face coverings will be made available by the event organizers for any participants who have forgotten or lost theirs.
• Participants, workers, and volunteers will be instructed to take any concerns to the Race Director or their designee who will address them as needed and possible.
RACE REGISTRATION & EVENT ARRIVAL
Limit of 250 runners per 90 minute time slot. Race packets - Bib numbers and capes will be available for pickup (Friday) prior to race day or at the event 20 minutes prior to the participants wave time. Face masks will be available for those that need one (required of all volunteers, staff, and all runners prior to crossing the start line).
• At Packet Pick-up, 6 feet of distance will be maintained between all tables and between participants and volunteers. Touchless pick-up procedures will be implemented.
START PROTOCOL
Runners and walkers will sign up for a start time during the registration process that allows up to 250 participants per wave. Waves will be spaced 90 minutes apart. Once the runner has been released, they will be able to race at their own pace, furthering the ability for social distancing.
There will be no more than 250 people in each wave. The course will close when the last runner has finished the race or by 2pm.
No gear check will be provided.
Start Times – will have 3 different waves
9:00 AM
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
“Ready to Run” Waiver/Pledge - Participants will be required to sign a waiver/pledge to arrive ready to run as a part of our waiver. The pledge outlines the safety protocols and social distance guidelines that will help ensure a healthy experience for participants and volunteers.
