Staff Reports
Before opting to move the 2020 race to a virtual format, th0e Mill Race Marathon Planning Committee drafted a 15-page COVID-19 plan.
Despite feeling confident in their recommendations, there were still too many uncertainties last summer; so by mid-June, the tough decision was made to forgo having an in-person event.
A year later, a modified version of that plan is ready to be put into place.
With improved conditions, including the development and accessibility of vaccines and a broader understanding of how the virus is transmitted, the two-day event is planned for Sept. 24 and 25 in Columbus.
“We’ve been pretty comfortable with it since about April,” race director Randy Stafford said. “We took our plan from last year and have been making modifications to it. Our document started out with probably five different options as we’ve worked through this.”
Those involved in creating the health plan include officials with Columbus Regional Health, the Bartholomew County Health Department and Cummins Inc., Stafford said.
CDC guidelines, as well as recommendations by USA Track and Field — the marathon’s sanctioning body — are also included.
Several marathons have been held in Indiana in 2021, and Mill Race organizers have taken notes on them.
“I’ve seen enough (races) go off, I’ve seen what people are doing, and what some of the other races in the same time frame are doing, and we’re doing very similar things,” Stafford said. “I think we’re taking a conservative approach that will keep the runners as safe as we can possibly make it for them. We’re giving the spectators the opportunity to be safe, but some of that is their own choices. We can give them the tools, but we can’t make them use them.”
While organizers haven’t nailed down the system of how they’re going to do it yet, Stafford said the Mill Race marathon start will look different for the runners as to help socially distance them.
During the race, all volunteers at the water stations will be wearing masks and gloves, Stafford said. And instead of handing out the cups, they will be placed on tables for runners to pick as they pass by.
Stafford said organizers plan on creating lanes on either side of the finish line to help keep runners socially distanced as they complete their race.
Also at the finish, post-race snacks will be prepackaged for runners to pick up as opposed to volunteers handing them out. Likewise, medals will be placed on tables for finishers to take.
Tables and chairs will be socially distanced for the post-race afterparty, and Stafford said that the truck giveaway event will be a quick ceremony to avoid crowding.
Right now, race organizers are asking spectators to socially distance and wear masks if in close quarters. Stafford said there will also be markings indicating 6 feet and barriers put up to help with social distancing.
“We feel like we can have an event, maintain social distance, limit the contact points for the participants — and hopefully the spectators,” Stafford said. “We have a little more leverage over the participants than the spectators. We hope that the spectators respect what we’re asking them to do.”
Changes are also being made to the Kids Fun Run scheduled for the Friday before the race. Stafford said the start line is going to be three times as wide as years prior, the pickup area will be at least twice as large, and that the start and finish will be further apart.
While there’s a plan in place, Stafford acknowledged that the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Indiana due to the Delta variant could cause more changes in the future.
He said the committee is closely watching local and state numbers, and will continue to consult with health experts moving forward on best practices.
“We are still having regular meetings on it,” Stafford said. “As the conditions change, with the rise in COVID numbers, I don’t know where the plan is going to go.”
As of last Wednesday, 1,070 total registrations had been entered between the three races — down 20% compared to 2019.
Stafford said that he thinks registrations are mainly down because of COVID-19 concerns, but pointed out that race that is down the most is the 5K. He said that most people don’t sign up for the 5K until closer to race day, so they’re confident participation will pick up steam moving forward.
“We’re in a position where I think the registrations are recoverable to a reasonable number,” Stafford said.
