South Dakota RRCA

Managing Communications and Cancellations in the Face of Coronavirus

As race directors and event participants monitor the status of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the U.S. and abroad, many are wondering, what to do if an event is cancelled due to the spread of the virus. The RRCA offers the following guidance for both participants and race directors.

For participants, it is important to review the event’s refund policy. Most often, race organizers have a no refund policy that you agree to during the registration process. Race participants are encouraged to respect an event’s stated refund policy, and understand that if an event gets cancelled due to a public health crisis, that situation is completely out of the control of race organizers. No race organizer wants to cancel an event, but if public health officials require cancellation, organizers must follow this directive. If a participant has purchased some type of cancellation insurance (Allianz policy through registration), it is important to read and understand the fine print for coverage. In the case of a public health crisis or pandemic, these types of policies most likely will not provide coverage/refunds in the event of a cancellation or if a participant elects not to participate.

As a participant, fear of a disease epidemic is not considered a good enough reason for race cancellation insurance to cover, if you elect not to participate. The same holds true if a race proceeds, and you fear participating, you should not expect a refund from organizers if you elect not to attend.

Keep in mind, when a race is forced to cancel due to severe weather, civil unrest, pandemics, and more, organizers have already committed to financial outlays for items such as shirts, medals, and other costs they cannot get refunded from their vendors. Participants need to understand that the Coronavirus has disrupted the supply chain for items such as finisher medals and shirts. If a race is unable to provide these items that were marketed to participants, organizers are at the mercy of disruption in global supply chain issues. Be kind to your race organizers and understand it is not their intention to delay providing finisher items to participants.

If you run in events in the coming months, be a good health steward. Don’t show up if you are feeling ill or have flu-like symptoms. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after using the port-a-john. DO NOT spit or “farmer blow” your nose in public – bring along tissues or a small towel or a good old-fashioned hanky if you need to get rid of some snot during the race. Carry your own fluids to avoid contact with others on course.

For race directors, it is important to keep participants informed about the fact that your organization is in contact with local health department officials and you are monitoring the situation. With that noted, it is imperative for all event organizers to get in touch with local health officials to discuss mass participation events and any threat of Coronavirus spread in your community. Base your decisions on science provided by advisors, not hysteria. Race directors may want to encourage people with compromised immune systems, current illness, parents with infants/toddlers, and the very elderly with health issues to consider staying home if they registered for an event, as those are the populations that appear to be susceptible to the dangers of the virus. If you are required to or are considering cancelling or rescheduling an event due to an overabundance of caution, making the call early can help you manage the situation and the fallout. The longer you wait, the harder it is to get the information out to participants.

The decision to proceed with a mass gathering or to restrict, modify, postpone or cancel the event should be based on a thorough risk assessment. Event planners should undertake such an assessment in partnership with local and national public health authorities.

A comprehensive risk assessment should be undertaken at the beginning of the planning phase, reviewed regularly during planning and updated immediately prior to the handover to the operational phase. The risk assessment should include input from the public health authority and should take into account the security assessment for the event. In relation to COVID-19 disease, the risk assessment should include consulting WHO’s updated technical guidance and ensuring that there is an up-to-date evaluation of the epidemiological situation. The risk assessment for the event must be coordinated and integrated with the host country's national risk assessment.

Action plans should be developed to mitigate all risks identified in the assessment. Some actions will be the responsibility of the public health authority to deliver, some will be the responsibility of the local health service provider, and the event organizer will be responsible for others; each action plan should specify who is responsible for delivering each action, the timescale for delivery, and how and by whom delivery will be ensured.

Risk communication is an integral part of mass gatherings. The following measures should be considered. Key messages for the local population and event participants must be coordinated and consistent. Consideration should be given to how messages about risk can be delivered to the population and to participants quickly if an unusual event occurs. Messaging should include:
• an overall assessment of the local risk;
• advice on preventive measures, especially respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene practices;
• advice about how to access local health care if necessary, including how to do so without creating a risk to healthcare workers;
• advice on self-isolation and not attending the event if symptoms develop;
• information about disease signs and symptoms, including warning signs of severe disease that require immediate medical attention;
• advice on self-monitoring for symptoms and signs for participants travelling from affected countries, including checking their temperature;
• information that WHO does not currently recommend quarantine for healthy travelers or other travel restrictions; information that wearing a face mask is recommended for participants who have respiratory symptoms (for example, cough); it is not recommended for healthy participants.

After the event, if public health authorities suspect that transmission of the COVID-19 virus has occurred, organizers and participants should support the response of authorities. Event organizers must liaise with public health authorities and facilitate the sharing of information about all symptomatic participants. Organizers should pro-actively communicate with all participants if it is learned a participant gets diagnosed with COVID-19 following the event.

Understanding Cancellation Insurance Policies: If your event has a formal cancellation policy, race directors should closely review the policy. The event may not be covered if the policy does not include a communicable disease rider. If you are thinking about getting a cancellation policy for an upcoming event, it is critical to understand that insurers are most likely not covering the Coronavirus in new policies, as it is now a known pandemic and a likely trigger for a cancellation.

Courtesy of the Road Runners Club of America

The 2019 Road Runners Club of America South Dakota State Marathon Championships were held at the Crazy Horse Marathon in Hill City, SD, on Sunday, October 6, 2019. The RRCA South Dakota State Champions for 2019 are:
Run Crazy Horse Marathon
October 6, 2019
Road Runners Club of America
South Dakota State Marathon Championship Awards
Female Awards List
FEMALE OPEN: Melanie Allen, Aledo, TX, 37, 3:21:53
FEMALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Lynn Akins, Denver, CO, 40, 3:54:53
FEMALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Ladonna Wilson, Hill City, SD, 51, 4:20:18
FEMALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Christine Davis, Spearfish, SD, 62, 4:30:02

Male Awards List
MALE OPEN: David Martinez, Colorado Springs, CO, 46, 2:57:51
MALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Shane Vetter, Colorado Springs, CO, 44, 3:09:42
MALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Wes Broeder, Spearfish, SD, 50, 3:24:36
MALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): David Petrich, Minneapolis, MN, 64, 4:17:11

Congratulations to the South Dakota State Road Runners Club of America 5K Champions for 2019:

DMTM Fast 5K
Deadwood, South Dakota
June 1, 2019
Road Runners Club of America
South Dakota State Championship Awards

Female Awards List

FEMALE OPEN: Rose Hohman, Columbus, NE, 35, 19:48

FEMALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Patti Tisdall, Denver, CO, 54, 21:52

FEMALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Dorothy Wood, Rapid City, SD, 54, 26:54

FEMALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Vicki Ackerman, Rapid City, SD, 65,
28:25


Male Awards List

MALE OPEN: Louden Foster, Stuart, IA, 17, 17:06

MALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Mark Kocak, Rapid City, SD, 58, 19:36

MALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Dale Eiriksson, Valparaiso, FL, 62, 23:18

MALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Dale Ruleau, Rushville, NE, 63, 27:13

Congratulations to the following 2019 Road Runners Club of America South Dakota State Half Marathon Champions, winning their awards at the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Half Marathon held on June 2, 2019:

Deadwood Mickelson Trail Half Marathon
June 2, 2019
Road Runners Club of America
South Dakota State Championship Awards

Female Awards List

FEMALE OPEN: Jessica Donner, Spearfish, SD, 38, 1:27:14

FEMALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Tanelle Steichen, Sisseton, SD, 40, 1:35:16

FEMALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Joleen Wilson, Rapid City, SD, 53, 1:47:35

FEMALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Jennifer Wells, Littleton, CO, 62,
1:52:37


Male Awards List

MALE OPEN: Matthew Horan, Sioux Falls, SD, 26, 1:14:57

MALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Matthew Mosman, Spearfish, SD, 41, 1:23:03

MALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Mike Bendt, Rapid City, SD, 55, 1:27:01

MALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Curt Schwamb, Sheridan, WY, 62,
1:45:38

Congratulations to the 2018 RRCA South Dakota Half Marathon State Champions crowned at the Crazy Horse Half Marathon in Hill City, SD on October 7 2018:

Run Crazy Horse Marathon
October 7, 2018
Road Runners Club of America
South Dakota State Half Marathon Championship Awards

Female Awards List

FEMALE OPEN: Bailey Oettel, Lincoln, NE 22 F 1:30:48

FEMALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Christy Vickers, Worland, WY 42 F 1:34:13

FEMALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Karen Anderson, Fort Collins, CO 57 F 1:47:57

FEMALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Julie Haussler, Bismarck, ND 60 F 1:58:38


Male Awards List

MALE OPEN: Tom Padmore, Rapid City, SD 41 M 1:22:23

MALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Matt Mosman, Spearfish, SD 40 M 1:24:32

MALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Hoffman Shorty, El Mirage, AZ 58 M 1:27:03

MALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Mike Erger, Sioux Falls, SD 61 M 1:29:01

The South Dakota 2018 Road Runners Club of America State Marathon Champions are:

Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon
June 3, 2018
Road Runners Club of America
South Dakota State Championship Awards

Female Awards List

FEMALE OPEN: Elise Durgin, Saint Paul, MN, 26, 3:33:10

FEMALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Tracy Meyerson, Wilmington, NC, 54, 4:10:29

FEMALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Robin Schrempp, Box Elder, SD, 53, 4:22:14

FEMALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Susan Talon, Berwick, ME, 60,
5:06:58


Male Awards List

MALE OPEN: Aaron Epps, Saint Francis, SD, 28, 3:11:29

MALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Kenny Ames, Washington, DC, 40, 3:17:47

MALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Bill Owens, Springfield, IL, 56, 3:31:09

MALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Douglas Muellner, Long Beach, CA,
60, 3:55:29

RRCA to Celebrate 60 Years of Running the Nation at its
60th National Convention Presented by Final Surge

Olympians Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor will help celebrate
60 years of RRCA as luncheon keynote speakers

Since 1958, members and supporters of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), the oldest and largest organization dedicated to the promotion of distance running, have gathered in different cities around the country for the RRCA National Convention. This year, the RRCA National Convention will be held April 5-8, 2018 in Arlington, VA. The event concludes on Sunday April 8 with the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and 5K race, which serves as the 2018 RRCA National 10 Mile Championship Event.

The RRCA Convention consists of highly relevant education sessions for club leaders, event directors, coaches and running enthusiast volunteering and working in their local running communities. Special keynotes speakers at the RRCA Convention luncheons include Olympians Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor.

The RRCA Convention is a great opportunity for running club leaders, race directors, fitness professionals, prospective and certified coaches, certified race directors, sponsors, running industry professionals, and runners to come together to share information, best practices, and contribute to the national mission of the RRCA.

On Saturday evening, the RRCA will host a special 60th Anniversary dinner to honor its incoming Hall of Fame members, its National Running Award winners, and its current Hall of Fame members that will be attending the dinner including: Gar Williams and Hal Higdon (RRCA founding members), Don Kardong, Jacqueline Hansen, Henley Gabeau (first RRCA executive director), Jeff Darman, Amby Burfoot, Doug Kurtis, Lisa Rainsberger, Deena Kastor, Meb Keflizighi, and Bob Larson, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks. At the event, the RRCA will present the big reveal of its custom designed birthday cake from Charm City Cakes – Baltimore from Food Network’s Ace of Cakes fame.

Registration for the RRCA Convention is only $390 and includes three cocktail receptions, two breakfasts, two luncheons, 60th Anniversary dinner, great attendee swag, and a variety of education and networking opportunities. Details about the RRCA Convention, including registration, can be found at www.RRCA.org/Convention/

About the RRCA: The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is the oldest and largest national association of running organizations and runners dedicated to growing the sport since 1958. The RRCA champions the development of community-based running clubs and events that serve runners of all ages and abilities in pursuit of health and competition. The RRCA’s vision is to see an organized running club established in every community in the U.S. To learn more, visit: www.RRCA.org

Convention

60th RRCA National Convention Presented by Final Surge
Washington, DC - April 5-8, 2018
The 60th RRCA National Convention Presented by Final Surge will be held in the metropolitan Washington, DC area in conjunction with the wildly popular Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race. The RRCA Convention consists of several social networking events, educational seminars on best practices for the running community, the RRCA Annual Meeting of the Membership, the National Running Awards Banquet, and more. Hundreds of club leaders, event directors, runners, and corporate supporters attend the RRCA Convention. Clubs and events are encouraged to reward their key volunteers with a trip to the RRCA Convention. More details are available at rrca.org/convention.

The South Dakota Road Runners Club of America State Marathon Championships were held October 8 at the Run Crazy Horse Marathon in Hill City, South Dakota. The new State Champions for 2017 are:

Run Crazy Horse Marathon
October 8, 2017
Road Runners Club of America
South Dakota State Marathon Championship Awards

Female Awards List

FEMALE OPEN: Erica Schramm, Las Vegas, NV, 39, 3:13:14

FEMALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Lisa Steffes, Hazleton, PA, 46, 3:17:47

FEMALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Shannon Amiotte, Interior, SD, 51, 4:20:53

FEMALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Harriet Langlois, Ijamsville, MD, 61, 4:30:04


Male Awards List

MALE OPEN: Jason Burke, Chestnut Hill, MA, 40, 3:07:31

MALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Michael Collofello, River Forest, IL, 44, 3:21:38

MALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Toddzilla Oliver, Carmel, IN, 51, 3:31:17

MALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Michael Willets, New Carlisle, OH, 64, 3:52:14

The Road Runners Club of America Half Marathon Champions for South Dakota for 2017 are:

Deadwood Mickelson Trail Half Marathon
June 4, 2017
Road Runners Club of America
South Dakota State Championship Awards

Female Awards List

FEMALE OPEN: Jennifer De Hueck, Rapid City, SD, 28, 1:19:43

FEMALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Tamie Hopp, Black Hawk, SD, 48, 1:34:53

FEMALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Laura Sandness, Belle Vourche, SD, 50, 1:35:39

FEMALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Chris Davis, Spearfish, SD, 60, 2:00:02


Male Awards List

MALE OPEN: Thompson Herman, Lincoln, NE, 36, 1:12:48

MALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Mike Bendt, Rapid City, SD, 53, 1:23:00

MALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Mark Kocak, Jackson, MN, 56, 1:32:28

MALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Tony Thoreson, Brandon, SD, 60, 1:35:06

Congratulations to the new Road Runners Club of America South Dakota 5K Champions for 2017:

Deadwood Fast 5K
June 3, 2017
Road Runners Club of America
South Dakota State Championship Awards

Female Awards List

FEMALE OPEN: Elise Fowlkes, Spearfish, SD, 35, 19:26

FEMALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Joy McNeil, Cody, WY, 45, 25:34

FEMALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Patti Tisdall, Rapid City, SD, 54, 24:11

FEMALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Bettie Branch, Lead, SD, 66, 34:10


Male Awards List

MALE OPEN: Ryan Peterka, Spearfish, SD, 25, 15:37

MALE MASTER (AGE 40-99): Joshua Speidel, Rapid City, SD, 40, 19:03

MALE GRAND MASTER (AGE 50-99): Kevin Pfefferle, Spearfish, SD, 59, 17:25

MALE SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60-99): Neal Frauenfelder, Rapid City, SD, 62,
20:55

RRCA South Dakota 2017 10K Champions Aaron Epps, Tasha Unkenholz, Joshua Speidel and Ron Sasso.