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FINAL RACE UPDATE - COVID-19 Last Minute Alternation
Hello fellow Turkeys! Last night the governor cancelled all sporting events indoor and outdoor for adults for the foreseeable future. Polk County Conservation let me know today that the only way we could run the race was in a non-organized fashion, i.e., on your own…. BUT, here is the cool thing, they are letting me go out on Wednesday, Nov. 25th to mark the course just as if you were running the actual course. The course will be marked exactly as it would be if we were all running it together – including confidence lights clipped to the trees for those running overnight at least every 1/10th of a mile.
Two options are available now that awards, shirts and race medals have been made. You can run the event solo or with a friend(s) within the state guidelines of the number of people allowed to gather outside at one time or you can choose to roll your entry over to next year.
If you choose to run the race, here are the rules:
Hello fellow Turkeys! Last night the governor cancelled all sporting events indoor and outdoor for adults for the foreseeable future. Polk County Conservation let me know today that the only way we could run the race was in a non-organized fashion, i.e., on your own…. BUT, here is the cool thing, they are letting me go out on Wednesday, Nov. 25th to mark the course just as if you were running the actual course. The course will be marked exactly as it would be if we were all running it together – including confidence lights clipped to the trees for those running overnight at least every 1/10th of a mile.
Two options are available now that awards, shirts and race medals have been made. You can run the event solo or with a friend(s) within the state guidelines of the number of people allowed to gather outside at one time or you can choose to roll your entry over to next year.
If you choose to run the race, here are the rules:
- The run must occur on the Stuffed Turkey Endurance Races course.
- You can park at the Equestrian Center and use your car as your aid station. You will be self sufficient as there will be no mile 5 aid station. Each loop is exactly 10 miles (sometimes 10.1). Plan accordingly.
- You must email me a picture of your start time when you start so we have your clock time. A screenshot of your time and distance must be emailed to me. Your time and distance will then be posted on the Facebook Stuffed Turkey Endurance Races page. It can be in the form of a Strava upload, picture of your watch showing time and distance, Garmin picture showing time/ distance or any other measure in which you can prove your time and distance in a photo. Have contingencies plans in case your watch dies – turn Stava on your phone and continue running while your watch charges in your car – we can add the two distances together if needed.
- Once all of the runners have completed the course and sent us their times/ distances, we will sort out the top runners for each distance and send out the hand-crafted awards that I so wanted to give you in person. All awards were hand-made by an artist in Pennsylvania. In the next few days I will post what they look like as they have been shipped 😊
- We will mail you your packet, awards, buffs, and shirts in one package after all runners have completed by Dec. 6th.
- 50 and 100 milers, if you want to know who is running when so you can pair up with other runners, you should be able to post and comment on the Facebook Stuffed Turkey Page.
- Use as many pacers as you want at any mile you want at any distance. It is a crazy year. Still, a mile is a mile and you will earn it.
- Last, and most importantly, you need to email me and let me know if you are choosing to run the race or roll your entry over preferably sooner than later.
Covid-19 Safety Protocols
ALL PARTICIPANTS (runners and volunteers) are required to:
Sign our Covid-19 Waiver. To ensure contact tracing. This includes signing an electronic waiver certifying;
TEMPERATURE CHECK (contactless) upon arrival. Those with temperatures above 100.4 will be required to leave.
Major Changes
Covid-19 2020 Update #1 (July 13)
Currently we are discussion options for our 2020 race starting at Jester Park Equestrian Center. As of now, we plan on running the race as scheduled. We will continue following Polk County, Iowa guidance on the issue. We are looking at starting in waves to minimize contact. All volunteers working at aid stations will be required to wear masks and gloves if Covid-19 is still going on in November. We will likely take steps to minimize the number of spectators at the start/ finish and mile 5 aid stations.
If you sign up for the race and would like to opt out of running this year due to Covid-19 complicating training, getting sick, or any other reason you may do so without penalty up to October 17th. You will be given a full refund or if you choose, provided entry into the 2021 event. If you sign or have signed up and decide to drop by October 17th, email Shannon at [email protected]. This date is chosen to give us enough time to order shirts and belt buckles (for 100 milers).
Covid-19 Update #2 (Aug. 2)
Our plan is to run the race on Nov. 28th as scheduled. We will be providing race buffs to every runner (who wouldn’t want a glamourous Stuffed Turkey Buff)? At the start line and while waiting in line for food at aid stations, we ask that you pull the buff up over your nose/ face to work as a face mask or, you can carry your own face mask. The buff is meant to make it convenient for you.
Inside the Equestrian Center there is enough room for people to social distance as long as you don’t linger. We ask that you come in, get your food, refill liquids and then move to an empty section inside with your crew or outside, at least 6 ft from other groups. There is a great deal of parking at the Equestrian Center so we encourage using your car as an aid station to minimize contact.
We are still discussing the mile 5 aid station. We may limit this to a liquids and gels only aid station as there will be a fully stocked aid station every 10 miles including warm food (we are still working on the menu).
We will be limiting crew/ pacers to two people per runner for the 50 and 100 mile distances. This year, 50 miles may have a pacer after lap 3 (mile 30). As much as we love the party atmosphere, we do have to respect the fact that we are still living with a pandemic and limit contact as much as possible while still having fun.
All participants will be required to sign an online waiver certifying the following:
ALL PARTICIPANTS (runners and volunteers) are required to:
Sign our Covid-19 Waiver. To ensure contact tracing. This includes signing an electronic waiver certifying;
- You have not had symptoms of COVID-19 or been exposed to COVID-19 within the past two weeks.
- You will notify us if either occurs between your signing and arrival at the race.
- You agree to contact us if you test positive within 2 weeks after the race.
- You acknowledge the changes and additional restrictions on this year’s race. Personal information will be kept confidential.
TEMPERATURE CHECK (contactless) upon arrival. Those with temperatures above 100.4 will be required to leave.
Major Changes
- Wave Starts when group exceeds 50.
- No Awards Ceremony.
- Runners will receive their finisher award when they cross the line.
- Runners are expected to depart shortly after finishing.
- Masks are required at aid stations (gator over face is okay). Runners need to maintain 6 feet distance at aid station when getting food.
- No communal food bowls. Runners will not have direct access to the food. A masked/ gloved volunteer will plate/ cup individual servings of food.
- Fluid service is no-touch. Runners must open their own bottles/ bladders, and a masked/ gloved volunteer pours into their container. If contact is made, serving utensils will be sanitized.
- Hand sanitizer will be available at the aid station to use before getting food.
- The food selection will be simplified. There will be pizza, donuts, potatoes and noodles and a few other things available at the Equestrian Center.
- The equestrian center is provides more than enough space for 50 and 100 mile runners to set up drop bags and areas for their pacer/ crew member. Keep at least 6 feet distance between you and other runners/ crew.
- Volunteers will not be able to provide the personal, one-on-one service we pride ourselves on. Contact minimization is the goal. Runners should be self-sufficient as possible.
- The Equestrian Center has a great deal of parking space available at the Start/ Finish line. You are encouraged to use your vehicle as much as needed.
- In the event that someone associated with the race tests positive for Covid-19 in the two weeks after the event, we will follow CDC guidelines on reporting and communication to all potentially exposed parties. The individual’s identification will be protected.
Covid-19 2020 Update #1 (July 13)
Currently we are discussion options for our 2020 race starting at Jester Park Equestrian Center. As of now, we plan on running the race as scheduled. We will continue following Polk County, Iowa guidance on the issue. We are looking at starting in waves to minimize contact. All volunteers working at aid stations will be required to wear masks and gloves if Covid-19 is still going on in November. We will likely take steps to minimize the number of spectators at the start/ finish and mile 5 aid stations.
If you sign up for the race and would like to opt out of running this year due to Covid-19 complicating training, getting sick, or any other reason you may do so without penalty up to October 17th. You will be given a full refund or if you choose, provided entry into the 2021 event. If you sign or have signed up and decide to drop by October 17th, email Shannon at [email protected]. This date is chosen to give us enough time to order shirts and belt buckles (for 100 milers).
Covid-19 Update #2 (Aug. 2)
Our plan is to run the race on Nov. 28th as scheduled. We will be providing race buffs to every runner (who wouldn’t want a glamourous Stuffed Turkey Buff)? At the start line and while waiting in line for food at aid stations, we ask that you pull the buff up over your nose/ face to work as a face mask or, you can carry your own face mask. The buff is meant to make it convenient for you.
Inside the Equestrian Center there is enough room for people to social distance as long as you don’t linger. We ask that you come in, get your food, refill liquids and then move to an empty section inside with your crew or outside, at least 6 ft from other groups. There is a great deal of parking at the Equestrian Center so we encourage using your car as an aid station to minimize contact.
We are still discussing the mile 5 aid station. We may limit this to a liquids and gels only aid station as there will be a fully stocked aid station every 10 miles including warm food (we are still working on the menu).
We will be limiting crew/ pacers to two people per runner for the 50 and 100 mile distances. This year, 50 miles may have a pacer after lap 3 (mile 30). As much as we love the party atmosphere, we do have to respect the fact that we are still living with a pandemic and limit contact as much as possible while still having fun.
All participants will be required to sign an online waiver certifying the following:
- You have not had symptoms or been exposed to Covid-19 in the past two weeks.
- You agree to contact us if you test positive within two weeks after the race, for contact tracing purposes. Your information will remain confidential.
- You accept the additional changes and restrictions of this year’s race.
- Wear a mask at all times except when eating or running (a buff which will be included at packet pickup will be acceptable).
- Contactless temperature check at packet pickup. Temperatures above 100.00 will be required to leave.