I’ve struggled mightily about what to do with our 14th annual Nebraska Trail Run. The easy thing would be to follow suit with every other race and go virtual, reschedule, cancel or defer. I’m never one to take the easy way, eh?
The Wall Street Journal recently featured Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute on Allergy and Infectious Diseases. A former marathoner that still runs and power walks daily. From that article, “The nation’s health officials have reassured the public that running outside remains safe healthy and perfectly acceptable in a time of social distancing.”
We’re going to run with this. I feel very strongly that running is one thing that we can still control in our lives. It provides a sense of security and comfort that is important to our psyche. I also believe that a small race like the Nebraska Trail Run can still be held without fear. It just needs a new and innovative format.
We have worked closely with Platte River State Park officials and are happy to announce we have that innovation, a work around for those registered for the run.
Caveat: Should Governor Ricketts or other officials issue Stay In Place orders these plans will as necessary be adjusted accordingly.
The course will be marked on Thursday, April 2nd. It will remain marked until the following Sunday afternoon, April 5th. Athletes are encouraged to take advantage of our “Four Days For Social Distancing.” Going out at their leisure, either solo or in small and intimate groups of a few to several. Texting their finish time to be included in the official results. Race swag will be mailed to this segment of our entrants.
We will also be holding our 10:00 a.m. start on Saturday morning. With more innovation. Runners are being assigned to 10 person waves (with prescribed 6′ social distancing) that will go off in one minute intervals. Fastest runners first. They’ll cross the finish line, pick up their award and go on with the rest of their day. There will be no packet pick up, no race numbers, no high fives, no beer garden, no post race signature dish, no awards ceremony. Race swag will be laid out on a table for pick up with no contact.
What then is left? A Real Race on a Real Course. For Real Bragging Rights.
How ironic that Vandelay Industries is our presenting sponsor for 2020. “Purveyor of Fine Latex Products”
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