COVID-19 Race Guidelines

The health and safety of all of the participants, as well as our volunteers and local community, are of the utmost importance. PLEASE, if you have any SYMPTOMS at all or you simply do not feel well, STAY HOME. 

With individual’s safety and transmission mitigation in mind, we have been working on race day modifications and procedures that will allow us to safely operate. These policies and procedures are based on current recommendations for COVID-19 safety protocols and are subject to change at any time.

What Owyhee Off-Road Challenge volunteers will be doing:

• All volunteers will be required to wear a mask at the start/finish/packet pick up areas and at aid stations on the course.
• Cleaning and sanitizing high-traffic areas at the start/finish area and on the course at regular intervals including, but not limited to, packet-pick up, portable toilets, and start/finish line areas.
• Reducing communal surfaces that encourage group or repeat usage
• Hand sanitizer available for usage throughout the event including at packet pick-up, aid stations, and near the start and finish areas.
• Any post-race food available will be pre-portioned and packaged for each participant

Social Distancing Procedures at the Owyhee Off-Road Challenge Half, 10k, & 5k Events:

• Each wave will have a separate packet pickup location and a separate staging area. Detailed information and maps will be emailed to participants prior to race day. Runners should watch for signage and listen carefully to OORC volunteers for directions. You MUST start in your designated wave or you will NOT receive a course chip time. 
• Participants will be required to wear a mask when not racing. Masks are required in the start area, in starting corral, and in staging areas and again in the finish area.  All runners are encouraged to wear their masks through the start line and take it off once you are clear of the start area and able to socially distance.
• Start times will be organized within 5 minute waves, (this is an update) or time blocks. Each wave will be limited to 50 participants.   
• Participants will be given the option to pick their desired start time when registering. Once the participant limit is hit on a start time, that start time will no longer be available as an option.  
• We will have the start line, starting corral, and staging areas for each wave set up in a socially distant manner.
• Participants should remain in their cars or in their event's staging corral away from the start/finish area until their assigned start time. Participants should listen carefully to announcements and follow OORC volunteer directions.
• Once you arrive at the start corral, you will find an open space to stand and wait. You will be given instructions on when to move forward towards the start line.  
• Only those participants with the immediately upcoming assigned start time will be allowed in the start corral.  
• If passing any participant on the course, please allow 6 ft between you and the other participant or pedestrian. If 6 ft is not available to you, please wait until you can pass safely.  
• Runners are encouraged to wear their masks around their neck, wrist, or tucked in a pocket so they have it available when near another runner or volunteer and at the finish.  
• There will be a limited number of portable toilets available for use at the start/finish area and along the course. Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available for use before and after entering the restroom. 

Our best practices will continue to evolve based on the knowledge available to us at the time.

• Event signage will promote safe social distancing practices including maintaining 6 feet of distance between others.
• Participants, volunteers, and spectators will be  required to wear a face-covering in designated mask zones at the event.
• Dedicated lanes and waiting spots will be provided to aid in physical distancing in areas where athletes congregate such as packet pickup, start line, and restrooms.
• Signage will be in place at events to reinforce our COVID-19 protocols.
• Athletes will be encouraged via pre-race communication to ask questions prior to event day in order to decrease staff and volunteer interactions at the event.
• Athletes will be encouraged to follow physical distancing throughout the race, especially when passing others.

Spectators/Guests – 

• Due to COVID-19, we are not allowing guests and spectators in the Staging/Starting/Finish/Packet Pick Up Areas in order to keep crowds to an absolute minimum.
• There are locations along the route where spectators may go to cheer while using proper social distance and safety guidelines.

​ Aid Stations

• 6' social distancing must be maintained when possible, and face coverings used when social distancing is not possible.
• ​Gloves and face coverings will be worn by volunteers distributing items.
• No food will be distributed on the course. Plan accordingly. 
• ​Energy gels will not be available at the aid stations but will instead be put in runner bags (one for half marathon).
• Volunteers will spread out and extend arm with gloved hand to distribute cups. Runners should take a cup and keep moving. Volunteers will be masked and runners are encouraged to pull up their face covering. Cups will not be placed on tables to avoid runners congregating. Listen to volunteers who will announce if they have water or gatorade.​ ​

Finish line and award area safety:

• The  finish line area will be expanded. 6' social distancing must be maintained, and face coverings used when social distancing is not possible.
• Gloves will be worn by volunteers distributing items. Medals will be handed to instead of put on runners. Bottles of water and gatorade will be handed to runners. After finishing their event, participants will be encouraged to leave the park and head for home. 
• ​There will be no awards ceremony this year. Results will be posted online.
• Capacity in the health care area will be reduced to allow for proper distancing. Providers and runners will be required to wear masks when giving/receiving care. Runners with the greatest need will be served first in the health care area. Emergency services are available at the finish line for urgent needs.​​​​

Our policies and procedures will continue to be updated as we learn more about COVID-19 and how to keep our participants, volunteers, and communities safe and healthy. These procedures are subject to change at any time and we appreciate your flexibility as we enter a new phase of social distancing races.