Fox Firecracker 5K FAQs

Fox Firecracker 5K and Kids Run – Safety Plan for 2021
The Fox Firecracker 5K and Kids Run cares about the health, safety and well-being of all of our participants and spectators, volunteers and committee members. We strive to hold a successful event each year, promoting the fitness of running and competing in our family friendly event.
We have developed a plan moving forward that takes into consideration the current health situation here in our area and the world around us. In this plan we are taking extra measures to ensure the safety of everyone while we host in-person events. This plan was developed taking into considerations all recommendations given by the CDC. These measures will be in place for the 2021 event. Due to the ever-changing recommendations and limitations as a result of COVID-19, all of these plans, and the length of time that they are enforced, are subject to change.
In This Document:

CDC Guidelines & Our Response
Fox Firecracker 5K Staff & Volunteer Safety Measures
All Races: Participant Guidelines
All Races: Spectator Guidelines
All Races: Event Changes
Fox Firecracker 5K and Kids Run COVID-19 Screening Questions

CDC Guidelines & Our Response
Fox Firecracker 5K Staff & Volunteer Safety Measures
All Races: Participant Guidelines
All Races: Spectator Guidelines
All Races: Event Changes
Fox Firecracker 5K and Kids Run COVID-19 Screening Questions

1) CDC Guidelines & Our Response Article: Event Planning and COVID-19:
Questions and Answers | Information for Event Planners and Individuals Source: Considerations for Events and Gatherings | CDC
Updated 2/19/2021
Article is copied and pasted below. Our response to each area is in red

What actions should I take to plan for an outbreak?
Creating an emergency plan for mass gatherings and large community events, such as concerts and sporting events, can help protect the health of your staff, attendees, and the local community. This planning should include:

Encouraging staff and attendees to stay home if sick. – This is included in section 2 of this Safety Plan that is shared with participants on our website (www.foxfirecracker5K.com), and in e-mail marketing, participant, staff & volunteer e-mails and social media posts. Additionally, staff & volunteers will be asked health screening questions at check-in during any race related work and participants will be given a health screening checklist to follow before coming to the race in a participant e-mail. We also have these reminders for participants to pass along to people who plan to attend the event as a spectator.
Developing flexible refund policies for attendees. – Due to the upfront cost of preparing for an event, there are no refunds for this event. Participants may switch to the virtual event to complete at a later date if they are unwell or choose to participate virtually.
Providing supplies for attendees and staff that can be used to help prevent the spread of germs. – Disposable masks will be available for persons who forget/loose theirs prior to or during the event. Hand sanitizing stations will be set-up throughout the event area. Cleaning supplies will be available and utilized on a regular schedule throughout the event.
Consulting local public health officials about your event. – We are working with local health officials for event safety approval and revisions.

How many guests can safely attend a conference, sporting event, conference, or other community event?
CDC does not have a limit or recommend a specific number of attendees for these types of events and instead encourages event organizers to focus on ways to limit people’s contact with each other. Each event organizer will need to determine the appropriate number for their setting in collaboration with local health officials. They should also check state, county, and city rules regarding any current restrictions limiting the number of attendees at events. In general, the number that is chosen should allow individuals to remain at least 6 feet apart from each other. Rather than focusing on an ideal number, event organizers and administrators should focus on the ability to reduce and limit contact between attendees, staff, and others. In general, the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor spaces because indoors, it can be harder to keep people at least 6 feet apart and the ventilation is not as good as it is outdoors. - The focus of our safety plan is reducing contact between participants, volunteers, staff & spectators. We will continue to evaluate if a reduction in the number of participants is necessary. The entirety of this event is outdoors and the tent space will not have all four walls in order to promote ventilation. The event plan is always introduced to and worked out with local municipalities to be in compliance with current health ordinances.

Does CDC have recommendations on how to maintain 6’ between attendees during events?
Yes. CDC recommends several strategies for this. For instance, organizers can:

Limit attendance or seating capacity to allow for social distancing, or host smaller events in larger rooms. – We will continue to evaluate if a reduction of participants is necessary. The entirety of this event is outdoors.
Use multiple entrances and exits and discourage crowded waiting areas. – We have designated in and out paths and markers for picking up packets and packaged food that keeps people 6’ apart at all times.
Eliminate lines or queues if possible or encourage people to stay at least 6 feet apart by providing signs or other visual cues such as tape or chalk marks. – these 6’ markings are part of our event set-up plan
Provide physical guides, such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls, to ensure that individuals remain at least 6 feet apart in lines and at other times (such as guides for creating one-way routes). – Plenty of outdoor seating will be available at this event to maintain the 6’ apart guidelines. At the conclusion of their race, they will continue to move through the finish line to receive their grab-and-go food and exit the event.
Prioritize outdoor activities where social distancing can be maintained as much as possible. – the entirety of this event is outdoors
Offer online attendance options in addition to in-person attendance to help reduce the number of attendees. – Virtual participation options are offered.
Consider limiting the number of people who occupy the restroom at one time to allow for social distancing. – No restrooms will be available, only single stall portable units. Portable units will be alternating so the distance between lines and doors will be 6’ apart.
Do not allow lines or crowds to form near the restroom. Take steps to ensure that individuals can stay at least 6 feet apart from each other. – Units will be spaced 6’ apart and marks for social distancing while waiting to use a unit will be available.

Should organizers test all attendees and staff for COVID-19 before they can enter an event? CDC does not recommend testing all attendees and staff before allowing them to enter. Testing all event attendees and staff for COVID-19 before allowing them to enter the venue has not been systematically studied. It is unknown if entry testing at event venues provides any additional reduction in person-to-person transmission of the virus beyond what would be expected with other preventive measures (such as social distancing, wearing cloth face coverings, hand washing, enhanced cleaning and disinfection). CDC does recommend conducting health checks such as temperature screening and/or symptom checking of staff and attendees safely and respectfully, and in accordance with any applicable privacy laws and regulations. – We are providing all individuals with a health screening document to use before attending the event (see at the end of this document).

Does CDC recommend all event attendees wear masks?
Yes. CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. CDC recommends that organizers require staff to wear masks and encourage attendees ahead of events to bring and wear masks at the event. – All staff, volunteers, participants who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face mask during event activities. For those staff, volunteers, participants and spectators who are not fully vaccinated, we recommend you wear a face mask at packet pickup, start line, finish line and where 6’ spacing can’t be maintained. The Fox Firecracker Neck Gaiter (available in the Store) is an acceptable face covering.
Masks are most essential when physical distancing is difficult (such as when moving within a crowd or audience). Masks offer some protection to the wearer and are also meant to protect those around the wearer, in case they are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Masks are not surgical masks or respirators. They are not personal protective equipment. Masks are strongly encouraged in settings where individuals might raise their voices (such as shouting, chanting, singing). Provide all staff with information on proper use, removal, and washing of masks. Advise staff that masks should not be placed on:

Babies or children younger than 2 years old
Anyone who has trouble breathing
Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance

What actions can staff & attendees take to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Encourage staff and attendees to take everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19. This includes:

Cleaning your hands often. – staff & volunteers are required to wash or use hand sanitizer at least once an hour.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. – Part of the health screening questions
Staying home when you are sick. – Part of the health screening questions
Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
Using a cloth face covering in public, especially when it may be difficult to maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people. - There will be signage reminding of these precautions, as well as masks available, a cleaning schedule for touched surfaces and hand sanitizer out at all times.

How should staff clean the facility before and during the event to limit spread of the virus?
Event staff should use several strategies to maintain healthy environments, including cleaning and disinfection:

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces within the venue at least daily or between uses as much as possible—for example, door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains, grab bars, hand railings, and cash registers.
Clean and disinfect shared objects between uses—for example, payment terminals, tables, countertops, bars, and condiment holders. Consider closing areas such as drinking fountains that cannot be adequately cleaned and disinfected during an event.
Develop a schedule for increased, routine cleaning and disinfection. Plan for and enact these cleaning routines when renting event space and ensure that other groups who may use your facilities follow these routines.
Ensure safe and correct use and storage of cleaners and disinfectants to avoid harm to employees and other individuals. Always read and follow label instructions for each product, and store products securely away from children.
Use EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19. Cleaning products should not be used near children. Staff should ensure that there is adequate ventilation when using these products to prevent attendees or themselves from inhaling toxic vapors.
Use disposable gloves when removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of trash. After using disposable gloves, throw them out in a lined trash can. Do not disinfect or reuse the gloves. Wash hands after removing gloves.
Avoid offering any self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and drink stations. Consider having pre-packaged boxes or bags for each attendee.
Ensure that ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible — for example, by opening windows and doors and prioritizing outdoor seating. However, do not open windows and doors if doing so poses a safety or health risk to customers or employees (e.g., risk of falling or triggering asthma symptoms).

What are things to consider when determining if an event needs to be postponed or canceled?
Consult with local public health officials and continually assess, based on current conditions, whether to postpone, cancel, or significantly reduce the number of attendees (if possible) at an event or gathering. When determining if you should postpone or cancel a large gathering or event, consider the:

Overall number of attendees or crowd size.
Number of attendees who are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID19. This includes older adults and people with underlying health problems such as lung or heart disease and diabetes.
How close together attendees will be at the event.
Amount of spread in local community and the communities from where your attendees are likely to travel.
Needs and capacity of the local community to host or participate in your event.

The event will continue to be in evaluation based on the current health climate up until race day. If the event is canceled for any reason, participants will automatically be registered for the virtual event option.

Fox Firecracker 5K Staff & Volunteer Safety Measures

All Staff and Volunteers will need to complete a health screening prior to starting their work at the event. This screening includes:
- o Answering a series of questions to screen them for COVID-19 before coming to the event. These questions are included at the conclusion of this document.
- o Staff and Volunteers are must take their own temperature before they come and may not report if they have a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, COVID-19 symptoms, or have knowingly been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has had COVID-19 symptoms in the past 14 days. Temperature must be taken without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines.
All Race Staff & Volunteers will be:
- o Recommended to wear a mask throughout the duration of the event if they are not fully vaccinated.
- o Provided with and required to use hand sanitizer at least once an hour throughout the duration of the event.
- o Instructed and assigned to additional cleaning of frequently touched surfaces for the duration of the event
Staff and volunteers will have very specific responsibilities to reduce contact with each other and cross-contaminating equipment.

Social distancing will be a priority between volunteers and staff. We will be adjusting our internal race preparations and race –day preparations to make this accommodation a priority as much as possible. However, please be aware in some situations with set-up, less than the recommended distance of 6’ may be necessary for a brief period of time between staff members.
Staff & Volunteers will strive to maintain a distance of 6’ from event participants. Because of the nature of the event, there may be times of passing between staff, volunteers and participants with less than 6’ of distance between persons.

All Races: Participant Guidelines
a.Communication and Reminders:
Participants will be informed of safety and new event guidelines in several ways:

Leading up to the race: Participant e-mails, event website, and social media on Fox Firecracker 5K Facebook page
Race Day: On-site announcements, participant e-mails, event website, and social media on Fox Firecracker Facebook page

Participants will be encouraged to make sure they are receiving e-mail updates and to reach out to [email protected] if they are not. They will also be encouraged to regularly check their e-mail, the event webpage, and Fox Firecracker 5K Facebook page.
We will post non time sensitive updates on a schedule so that participants can expect when to hear from us regarding any changes or updates. That schedule will be posted on the event website. We will also have e-mail templates ready to update quickly and send for emergency event updates.

b. Participants Definition:

A participant is defined as someone who has purchased a registration or has had a registration transferred to them and has a race bib. This also includes individuals who may be participating in this event with them while being pushed in a stroller or wheel chair.

c. Health Guidelines for Participants

All participants should ask themselves these questions to screen themselves for COVID-19 before coming to the event. These questions are included at the end of this document.
Participants must take their own temperature before they come and may not attend if they have a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, COVID-19 symptoms, or have knowingly been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has had COVID-19 symptoms in the past 14 days. Temperature must be taken without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom altering medicines.

d. Do and Don’t Guidelines for Participants:

Don't share fluids, gels, or other fuel.
Do wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after using the port-a-john.
Do not spit or “nose rocket” your nose in public – bring along tissues or a small towel or hanky if you need to get rid of some snot during the race.
Do practice social distancing - ensure appropriate spacing between runners; the current recommendation is at least six feet of separation.
Do avoid close-group selfies.

All Races: Spectator Guidelines
a. Spectators Definition:

A spectator is an individual who is not registered for the event but attends for the purpose of viewing and/or supporting the registered participants

b. Health Guidelines for Spectators

All spectators should ask themselves these questions to screen themselves for COVID-19 before coming to the event. These questions are included at the end of this document.
Spectators are encouraged to take their own temperature before they come and may not attend if they have a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, COVID-19 symptoms, or have knowingly been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has had COVID-19 symptoms in the past 14 days.

c. Conduct Guidelines for Spectators

Spectators must stay out of the restricted race areas. This includes inside the start & finish line areas, and the post-race food pick-up area. Only participants with a bib will be allowed in these areas. There is a map to show these areas on the event website. We will also provide a spectator guide on our website and to participants to share with potential spectators.
Spectators must keep 6’ of distance from other spectators along barricades at the start & finish line areas. There will be markings on the barricades. Other spectators must stay 6’ back from the barricades until a spot opens.
Spectators are encouraged to find a spot along the course to cheer on the participants while respecting 6’ of social distancing of other spectators not in their household and participants on the course. Course maps are located on the event website with easy-to-reach spectator viewing spots.

All Races: Event Changes
Registration:

Registration will be online only. There will be registration available at packet pickup, more information will be given out if this option is not available.
Registration will close for the event when online registration closes, dependent of in-person registration is available.

Pick-Up:
Participants will be given their race materials at two different times: July 3 @ 4-8pm or July 4 @ 6-7:45am

We encourage only one person picking up for households of multiple participants to reduce the number of people at packet pick-up.
If participants cannot make it to the race but would still like to receive their packet materials, they will be instructed to e-mail [email protected] by the Wednesday following the event. If a participant does not reach out by then, their materials will be donated. Food will not be included in these late pick-ups.

What materials are included with the race?

Pre-Race: Bib, Pins, Materials from Sponsors, Shirt, Race Day Checklist with COVID screening questions
Post-Race: Race Medal, Pre-Packaged Food, Bottled Water

What to expect at in-person packet pick-up:

Bib pick-up will take place outside, and under a (20x20 tent or 40x80 tent) that will not be completely enclosed in order to encourage ventilation.
Tables will be spaced 6’ apart.
6’ distance markings will be on the ground as participants come to pick-up their packet.
A path will be marked out for entering and exiting to keep social distancing relevant at all times.
There will be a volunteer to keep the number of participants in the tent to a minimum. If it is filling up, the volunteer will kindly ask participants to wait.

Event Areas Restrictions –

Only essential personnel (participants, staff, volunteers and medical personnel) are permitted in the event area. This includes packet pick-up, start & finish line areas, post-race food tent and race course.

Safety Measures
We will provide the following amenities to encourage hygiene and social distancing at the events:

Hand sanitizing stations: outside porta potties, stations near start and finish area, and at the event area entrances and exits
6’ spacing markers for social distancing
Lanes to keep moving in one direction from the finish line to picking up materials and exiting the event.
Signage to encourage hand sanitizing, social distancing, face covering, and not touching your face.
Signage to discourage celebratory hand-shakes, hi-fives and hugs

Start Line

Only essential staff and participants are permitted behind the start line.
Participants who are not fully vaccinated, we recommend you wear a mask at the start.

Porta Potties

Porta potties will be available in the start and finish line areas of the event. They will be spaced at least 6’ apart, with markers for social distancing.

Course

Participants are encouraged to be mindful of keeping distance from other participants while they are walking or running unless they are from the same household.

Water Stops

We encourage all participants to bring their own water bottle.
There still will be 2 water stops on the course and water at the finish in sealed bottles.
Volunteers will not be passing out water.

There will be small sealed water bottles on the table. There will be trash cans along the course. Participants need to discard their water bottle and cap into a trash receptacle and may not toss it on the ground. Participants will be encouraged to keep moving or step away from the water stop quickly to allow others in. Water stop tables will be separated for social distancing and there will be multiple available.

Finish Line

Participants will be encouraged to continue to move through the finish line area and reminded to place their mask back on. Disposable masks will be provided for the participant to take if they lose theirs on the course.
There will be tables for participants to pick up their own finisher medal as they move out of the finish area.
There will be a prepackaged food and bottled water for participants to pick-up. These will be at the finish line and at the food tent (similar to previous years).
There will be no post-race party. All participants will be directed to immediately exit the event once they pick up their materials.
Participants who complete the event cannot come back in. They may move to a spectator spot along the finish line of the course.

Results & Awards

Results will be posted on site. All results can be found online at www.foxfirecracker5K.com
There will be no awards ceremony. Participants will be notified and awards will be available to be picked up race day or at LIVE @ Hydro Park on July 7 and July 14 from 5-7pm.

Any Additional Questions or Concerns can be directed to [email protected]

Fox Firecracker 5K and Kids Run COVID-19 Screening Questions Instructions:

Please take your temperature before coming to the race.
If it is over 100.4 or if it has been over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit at some point in the past 10 days, please do not attend the event. This must be without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Do you have any of the following?

Fever or chills
- If you have symptoms of acute respiratory illness, please contact X and stay home until you are free of fever (100.4° F [38.0° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).

Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Have contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19?

If you have one or more symptom(s) that may be related to COVID-19 stay home and take care of yourself.