Popsicle Race series updates 9/7/20

Good evening Popsicle Race families.  We are excited to get our series rolling Wednesday evening at Thomas Nelson High School.  Here are a few important notes, and remember, all info including past series' results are can be found at popsicleraces.blogspot.com -

Those athletes who were identified as being part of a local team should be receiving their bib number from their coach before entering this venue.  They will keep this number for the whole series! Those picking numbers up on site will get them from the Navy Generals tent near the start line.  

Race schedule divided into smaller waves - 

6:00 1k boys

6:15 1k girls 

6:30 2k boys

6:50 2k girls

7:10 3k boys

7:35 3k girls 

Please respect the series Covid guidelines.  The high school student-athletes that commit their time and energy to put these races on for the community are entering their XC season, which has been hanging tediously in the balance.  We will not allow them to be put at any increased risk.  Linked below are the KHSAA return to play guidelines, our TNHS spectator guidelines, and listed below are a few main points that must be followed to keep this series going - 

1) Temperatures checked and contact info checked at the gate

2) Masks on at all times - runners may take them off while warming up and when they go to the line.  

3) Spectators limited to ONE adult per family (120+ kids typically means 300+ people on site - we cannot have that many people in our venue)

4) Spectators must remain behind barriers to ensure space between them and passing athletes

5) Please move from the venue as soon as your athlete's race is over

KHSAA Guidelines 

TNHS Spectator Info  (the ticketing purchasing protocol does not apply)

New 2k and 3k course layout - 

In an effort to minimize the crowding around the registration and start line areas, and to comply with the "non-looping course recommendation", we will be using our single-loop 2k and 3k courses.  The 1k will be unchanged.  After the 2k and 3k runners come back past the start line, they will continue out on our invitational race courses which enter the back of the football stadium and finish with a lap on the track.  The hope is that our crowd will thin as people move up to the football stadium to watch their runner finish. 

I know this is a lot, and I sincerely hope that next year we will return to the crowded energy that the Popsicle Races are known for.  But, currently this is our reality and if we want our kids racing, we have to work together to make it happen.  

Looking forward to seeing the kids Popsicle Racing!

Matt