| Administrative strategies |
Many races are reducing participants and implementing distancing at start areas to gain public health approval to hold events. Distancing reduces the surge through the finish area pens and into the medical tent. At the Twin Cities in Motion race (Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota [United States]), this process has been implemented as follows: - Race starters for the marathon and 10-mile (16-km) races are lined up in 7 by 7 matrices. Each square within the matrix is 6 by 6 feet (2 by 2 meters).
- Each pod moves forward in sequence toward the start line, maintaining distance between pods.
- One line from each pod (ie, groups of 7 racers) are permitted to start running every 3 seconds.
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Additional strategies include: - No transfer of dry clothes is permitted from start to finish to reduce touches between runners and staff.
- All entrants are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and to wear masks until they cross the start line.
- Some major races are requiring proof of vaccination or negative test (and offering on-site testing).
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| Medical strategies¶ |
| Use known strategies to mitigate viral spread: vaccination, masking, physical distancing, tent ventilation, reduced exposure time. |
Vaccination: - Proof of vaccination required for medical personnel.
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Masking: - All personnel and all patients in medical tents must be masked, unless care cannot be delivered with the patient's mask in place (eg, airway assessment, patient vomiting).
- Patients refusing to mask are referred to other medical facilities (where they will be required to mask).
- N95 (or comparable) masks and eye protection must be worn during all face-to-face medical encounters, both inside and outside medical tents. Additional PPE (eg, gowns) may be necessary depending on local conditions and guidelines.
- Masks must be worn by anyone waiting in family waiting areas inside tents.
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Physical distancing: - Maintain or increase medical tent size but include fewer care pods inside and increase the space between cots. Arrange cots with a minimum of 6 feet (2 meters) between the heads of patients.
- Reduce the number of care personnel inside the tent. Personnel can remain outside tent until needed.
- Encourage treatment and recovery outside the tent whenever possible.
- No family or non-medical personnel permitted in medical tents.
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Ventilation: - Fans (usually reserved for hot weather) should be used to increase air turnover inside the medical tent.
- Tent side walls should remain open whenever possible.
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Exposure time: - Runners in severe distress requiring intensive care should be transferred to local emergency departments, except for those requiring on-site cooling for exertional heat stroke.
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