FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ready To Rock: Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series Introduces
Safe Return To Running Guidelines
- Leaning on standards from the World Health Organization and guidance from
the IRONMAN Global Medical Advisory Board, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
Series releases its guidelines for operating upcoming Roll 'n' Roll Series
events
TAMPA, Fla. (October 14, 2020) - The Rock 'n' Roll® Marathon Series, part
of The IRONMAN Group, today announced it is Ready to Rock with the release
of its Safe Return to Running Guidelines, a series of comprehensive
operating principles prepared in accordance with industry standards for
open air mass participation sporting events. Based on standards from the
World Health Organization (WHO) and developed with guidance from the
IRONMAN Global Medical Advisory Board (IGMAB), the best practices are
designed to allow for Rock 'n' Roll Series events to be organized in a
manner consistent with each local community's objectives and within the
expectations set by public health entities around the world as they relate
to the impacts of COVID-19.
With a focus on enhanced hygiene, touchpoint minimization, screening,
education, density reduction, and self-awareness, Rock 'n' Roll events will
continue to deliver an exceptional participant experience with necessary
adjustments.
As a result, the Safe Return to Running operating principles are organized
around five broad areas of contagion risk mitigation:
- Enhanced Hygiene: Hand sanitizer, hand washing stations and disinfectant
wipes will be readily available around the event venues. Cleaning of common
venue areas will be enhanced. Staff and volunteers will be provided with
face coverings and are required to wear the face covering properly at all
times around the event venue. Disposable gloves will be used in applicable
areas. Participants will be provided with face coverings at packet pick-up,
and participants are required to wear a face covering properly around the
event venues, including the start corrals and finish line area. Find the
WHO instructional video on how to properly wear a mask here.
- Screening and Education: Appropriate personal health, personal hygiene
and safe support education and training will be provided for staff and
volunteers in necessary functional areas. This includes Volunteer Smart™
guidelines for volunteers. Participants and volunteers will be required to
complete a pre-event health questionnaire. Additionally, in many venues
no-touch body temperature screening will be instituted. Individuals with a
body temperature of greater than 100.4º Fahrenheit or 38º Celsius will not
be allowed to participate, volunteer or work.
- Touchpoint Minimization: Touchpoints and points of interaction between
staff, participants, and volunteers will be reduced or removed without
compromising event safety and security. The redesigned and reimagined
packet pickup, expo, merchandise, and finish line will minimize
person-to-person contact, and race course zones such as aid stations will
include more space for participants to minimize both
participant-to-volunteer and participant-to-participant touchpoints.
- Rockstar Run SmartTM Participant Support: Introduction of the 'Return to
Running Pledge,' will emphasize participant responsibility for competitive
cooperation, and consideration of our community while participating.
Participants will be empowered to determine their individual level of
self-reliance to further minimize interaction and touchpoints with other
participants, volunteers, or staff. While plenty of aid stations will still
be present along the course, participants will be encouraged to carry
nutrition and hydration by utilizing items such as hydration vests and
belts. Participants should review and embrace the Rockstar Run Smart
Running Tips.
- Density Reduction: Certain measures will be instituted to increase space
for participants and supporting personnel in areas such as expo, packet
pickup, the start line, and finish line. Alternative start configurations
may be implemented to reduce the number of participants waiting in an
enclosed area and to optimize distancing opportunities. Modification or
elimination of non-essential race services and functions, such as expo and
merchandise may also occur.
"Safety has always been of greatest importance for our events, and while
the decision around when to host an event will ultimately depend on local
communities and public health authorities, we have been working with
experts and event stakeholders on how to conduct events safely in this new
reality that allows for the continuation of positive economic impact for
host cities, and the mental and physical benefits for participants that
endurance events provide," said Andrew Messick, President & CEO of The
IRONMAN Group. "With the recent success of 13 live events throughout
Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America in The IRONMAN Group portfolio,
this has furthered our development of the Safe Return to Running plan for
returning to physical events and we believe that these guidelines will keep
our participants, volunteers, staff and communities safe while still
providing a positive and enjoyable race experience for all."
Implementing these best practices across Rock 'n' Roll events, including
density reduction, through analysis of course participant density -
primarily from runner flow data from previous races - indicates that
providing the maximum available time for starting all runners will result
in a reduced density across the course, at aid stations, and through to the
finish line. Controlling and modifying the flow of runners from the start
provides a measurable reduction in course density.
The Rock 'n' Roll Series endeavors to use this element - the modification
of race start structure - as its guiding principle and the primary
methodology for course density reduction, and an improved running
experience.
The Rock 'n' Roll Series has also developed a Return to Running Participant
Pledge that emphasizes the renewed participant responsibility for
competitive cooperation, providing space and time for everyone to
participate safely. The Pledge will remain a component of the Rock 'n' Roll
series of events and serves to empower participants to have their best
event possible by running safely and considerately. Upon taking the pledge,
participants can download a digital badge in acknowledgement of their
commitment and cooperation.
The Rock 'n' Roll Series continues to monitor for pandemic updates from
public health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and
respective national organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and will continue to follow the guidance of local
authorities when determining the status of Rock 'n' Roll events and
programs. The decision to proceed, modify or postpone will be based on
availability of community resources and ongoing event-specific risk
assessments in coordination with the relevant healthcare and government
authorities and the IGMAB. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve,
Rock 'n' Roll is dedicated to adapting the Safe Return to Running
Guidelines in line with the current environment. Additional COVID-19
resources and updates from Rock 'n' Roll are available at
www.runrockroll.com/updates.
For more information on the Rock 'n' Roll Series, please visit
www.RunRocknRoll.com.
About Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series
The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series® is the world's largest running series
taking part in over 30 destination events around the world every year.
Established in 1998, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series simple idea of
making running fun has transformed both the U.S. and global running
landscape by infusing the course with live bands, cheer teams and
entertaining water stations, creating a block-party atmosphere for
participants and spectators alike. Focused on running, music and community,
race weekend kicks off with a free Health & Fitness Expo showcasing the
latest in running gear, sports apparel, health and nutritional information
and much more. Events culminate with an entertaining finish-line festival
featuring some of the biggest names in music, with past performances
including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, O.A.R. Aloe Blacc, Pitbull, Flo Rida,
The Band Perry, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Goo Goo Dolls and Bret Michaels.
Further information about the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series can be found
online at www.RunRocknRoll.com and follow @RunRocknRoll on all social
platforms.
IRONMAN Global Medical Advisory Board
Established in January 2017, the IRONMAN Global Medical Advisory Board
(IGMAB) was assembled to provide the highest level of preventative,
emergent and post care recommendations for medical standards on a global
basis. As an independent medical advisory group focused on health and
safety, the board supports The IRONMAN Group by providing guidance,
reviewal and medical recommendations for general athlete health questions,
event medical plans, and significant medical developments globally.
Additionally, the IGMAB has developed a comprehensive Event Medical Guide,
which serves as a general reference and resource for organizing medical
services or providing care to the participants of IRONMAN® and IRONMAN
70.3® triathlons and other IRONMAN Group endurance events.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the board has been recognized as one of
the preeminent global resources in advising and collaborating with
international health and sporting organizations with expertise in outdoor
mass participatory endurance events. The board is currently engaged with:
- World Health Organization (WHO) - Mass Participatory Events steering
committee
- World Athletics (formerly IAAF) Pandemic Advisory Committee
- International Institute of Race Medicine
- International Olympic Committee (IOC)
About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the
IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the
IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock 'n'
Roll Marathon Series®, the Rock 'n' Roll Virtual Running™ Series,
IRONKIDS®, ITU World Triathlon Series, premier running events including the
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and The Sun-Herald City2Surf®
presented by Westpac, Ultra-Trail® World Tour events including Tarawera
Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa
Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN
Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and
provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of
endurance sports through the company's vast offerings. Since the inception
of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have
proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the
world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a
global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN
Group is owned by Advance (www.advance.com), a private, family-owned
business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.
About Advance
Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in
companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications,
education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the
value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and
innovation. Advance's portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage
Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders
Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies
employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the
largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Discovery and Reddit. For
more information visit www.advance.com.
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