In March 2020, events were suspended in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic. As the situation started to improve we began to look at what events might look like once we were able to return.
We began a process reviewing every aspect of our events, and put together a whole series of protocols and procedures to make things safe. As part of this we worked with England Athletics and runbritain, the Governing Bodies for the sport, and in turn Sport England. The protocols and procedures were collated and submitted to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for sign off in July 2020. These were approved by the Government, which paved the way for participation sport to return, including running events.
We resumed events from August 2020, until the end of the year (except during lockdown 2.0 in November 2020, and after late December, when events were suspended again druing lockdown 3.0). The UK Government gave the go ahead for running events in England to restart from 29th March 2021. This was included in Step 1 on the roadmap following the third national lockdown. These regulations were reviewed by all the statutory bodies to esnure they were still fit for purpose. We have revised the measures since almost all regulations were removed on in 2022 and continue to update them as Government regulations and guidance changes.
The following measures, procedures and protocols are those which have resulted directly from the approved documents.
Whilst there is no compulsory rule any longer about attending events whilst displaying symptoms of, or testing positive, for COVID-19 it would be unwise and not responsible to do so.
For information about what the symptoms of COVID-19 are, you can check the latest guidance on the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/.
If you are not attending an event due to a positive test for COVID-19 we will require proof of the positive test to be able to transfer you to another of our events (a few event exclusions may apply). You will not be entitled to a refund and will only be allowed to make a transfer if you provide the evidence of the positive test.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic every event we have in our portfolio was re-assessed to ensure they were safe. This included every step of your journey with us from arrival at the event, to your passage through the event site, your run with us and what happens afterwards. The key points were as follows:
- Fewer contact points throughout the event
- Increased and enhanced hygiene procedures for all event infrastructure and supplies
- Adjustments made to routes where necessary and the event site to allow for social distancing, although this is now optional, and the use of wave starts to space out runners at the start
- Optional use of face masks
- The alteration for water stations and medal collection to be self-select
The enhanced hygiene measures are the only measures still in place and our understanding that some people may still wish to wear face masks. We are ready with any of the above measures if we needed to implement any of these again.
During the fully compulsory control period we created waved, rolling starts, which were also staggered. This immediately created a distance between runners, but as these were setup based on your predicted time, it still felt like a race as similar abilities started together. Racing from the moment you start. At the start of each wave, there was no hold sequence, you just walked through the start funnel when called forward and started running when you reach the timing mat - hence our term "rolling start". The feedback from the events has been really positive about this experience, with many telling us that it made them feel safe, but also that it still felt like a race. At most events we have kept some waves even after the compulsory restrictions, but in larger numbers per wave and smaller gaps in between each wave starting. As little as 60 seconds in between.
To see the smaller wave version for yourself, have a look at the video below. The larger waves work in a similar format but with more people:
The finish is now almost identical to pre-pandemic. You can still sprint like Usain Bolt for the line and maybe grab a cheeky place or two! Once across the line we will keep you moving along. We still remove your timing chip for santisation, mainly because it is a good thing to do. If you are speedy enough to have won a prize, these are all presented to you at the event now.
In summary the events are safe for you take part and enjoy running with us. We left no stone unturned to make everything as positive and enjoyable for you. This is in part why we were voted the Best Running Events Management Company 2021 in the Southern Enterprise Awards and the Best Sports Management Company 2022/23 in the Global Awards.
Importantly, you can pick up your running bling and celebrate (in a safe way) with us and your fellow runners and Sporting Buddies!
Thanks very much for your continued support. Head on over to www.sportingeventsuk.com/enter-an-event and enter your next event!