COVID-19 Testing Resources – Click HERE for links to surrounding state Departments of Health for more information on testing sites.

As always, safety is our #1 priority, and now more than ever, the success and ability to hold events will be dependent on everyone doing their part. CCR has utilized information published by USA Triathlon (USAT), the national governing body for the sport, the International Triathlon Union (ITU), a global organization that manages the sport of Triathlon around the world, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Below you will find information on the safety protocols we used in 2020. While it is too early to tell how things will look in October 2021, some or all of these procedures may remain in place for the 2021 event. We encourage you to read about the steps we took in 2020, and hope that we will be able to return to a more “traditional” race format in 2021!

Event Goals

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the way athletic events are conducted, and will continue to impact sporting events and social gatherings of any type for the foreseeable future. The goal of the 2020 Baltimore Triathlon is simple – to execute a small-scale triathlon that affords individuals the opportunity to remain active and compete against one another in a safe, controlled environment.

General Guidelines

In-depth information on each aspect of the event can be found in the sections below, but the following is a list of general safety protocols that will be in place before, during, and after the event:

  1. All CCR employees will wear face coverings for the duration of the event. Employees in a public-facing position where contact with participants may occur will wear gloves.
  2. Race registration (normally capped at 300 racers per day) will be limited to 200 per day.
  3. All registrants will receive emails 10 days prior to the race, and 5 days prior to the race with a list of COVID-19 symptoms and additional resources from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Registrants who are currently experiencing any related symptoms, or believe they may have come in contact with someone exposed to COVID-19, will be advised to stay home. Registrants will be given the option to defer their race registration to 2021 or transfer their entry to someone else.
  4. CCR will require all participants to certify (through a “waiver-style” question in the registration system) adherence to any standing travel restrictions as part of their entry. In accordance with guidelines from the State of Maryland and Baltimore County Health Department, anyone traveling from out-of-state to participate in the race must be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hrs prior to arriving in Maryland. Proof of a negative test within this time frame will be required to pick up a race packet. Registrants who do not meet this criteria will be offered the opportunity to defer their entry to 2021, or transfer their entry to someone else who qualifies to participate.
  5. Hand sanitizer stations will be positioned throughout the race village including the packet pickup area, transition area (where bikes are kept), finish line, and near the restrooms.
  6. Participants will not be required to wear face coverings while actively participating in the event, but will be required to wear a mask at all times before and after the race while in the area. This includes packet pickup, transition setup, going to the restroom, etc.

Race Registration & Packet Pickup

For the Baltimore Triathlon the “packet” includes:

  • Race Bib Number with safety pins
  • Adhesive Bike Number Sticker
  • Adhesive Helmet Number Sticker
  • Under Armour Race T-Shirt
  • Finisher’s Medal
  • Swim Cap
  • Transition wristband

 

New Procedures

  1. Race registration will continue to be online only – no walk-up registrations will be accepted at any time.
  2. Due to travel advisories in place at this time, CCR will include a link to the most recent travel information on the Baltimore Triathlon website.
  3. CCR will require all participants to certify (through a “waiver-style” question in the registration system) adherence to any standing travel restrictions as part of their entry. In accordance with guidelines from the State of Maryland and Baltimore County Health Department, anyone traveling from out-of-state to participate in the race must be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hrs prior to arriving in Maryland. Proof of a negative test within this timeframe will be required to pick up a race packet. Registrants who do not meet this criteria will be offered the opportunity to defer their entry to 2021, or transfer their entry to someone else who qualifies to participate.
  4. CCR will limit packet pickup to three opportunities:
    1. In the Race Village tent on Friday, 10/2 from 2PM-6PM
    2. In the Race Village tent on Saturday, 10/3 from 5:45 AM – 7:45 AM
    3. In the Race Village tent on Sunday, 10/4 from 5:45 AM – 7:45 AM
  5. USAT requires each registered athlete to present a valid photo ID in order to pick up their race packet. The athlete will be instructed to hold their ID out so that the race personnel can verify name and date of birth without touching the ID.
  6. Participants will be required to wear a mask during packet pickup, and chalk markings on the ground outside the tent will designate proper social distancing intervals. Hand sanitizer will be located at the entrance of the tent for staff and participants. Anyone not adhering to this guideline will be given one verbal warning, and further failure to comply will result in the disqualification of the athlete and forfeiture of the registration fee paid.
  7. Signage will be placed at the perimeter of the Race Village alerting those with symptoms not to enter
  8. Shirt exchanges will not be permitted after the packet has been released to the registrant
PPU

General Event Amenities/Infrastructure

Restrooms

New Procedures

  1. To reduce the possibility of crowding in the restrooms, CCR will rent 3 additional portable restrooms to be placed near the Race Village in a location approved by Gunpowder State Park.
  2. The rented units will be placed in an area with adequate space to maintain social distancing
  3. Each unit will be equipped with hand sanitizer, and additional sanitizer will be located on a table outside of the units.
  4. Markings on the ground (“X’s” made of chalk) will designate appropriate spacing for those waiting in line for units.
  5. The portable units, as well as the on-site restrooms, will be cleaned hourly while the event is taking place using an antibacterial cleaning solution to disinfect all high-contact surfaces

Medical Team

New Procedures

  1. The race will continue to be staffed by ProCare EMT’s with a BLS unit onsite.
  2. Due to the extended duration of the race, EMT’s will be required to remain onsite longer than in the past.
  3. EMT’s will wear all necessary PPE while at the event.

Transition Area

New Procedures

  1. The layout of bike racks within the transition area will be adjusted to increase the distance between competitors before, during, and after the event. See diagram below.
  2. Athletes will be encouraged to set up their gear and then wait outside of the transition area where more open space is available. Race officials will make announcements before the event to remind athletes not to linger in the transition area longer than necessary.
  3. Face coverings will be required at all times while in the transition area but not actively racing
  4. Due to the increased stagger between starters, the number of athletes in the transition area at any given time will be minimal. Typical transition times range from 1 minute to 4 minutes, so early swim starters are leaving before late swim starters are entering.
Transition

Starting Area

New Procedures

  1. All race information/procedures will be communicated to athletes via email prior to race day, eliminating the need for a large pre-race gathering in the transition area
  2. Participants will submit their anticipated swim time to the race director as part of the registration process. This information will be used to “seed” athletes based on swim time to reduce the likelihood of passing or bunching of athletes on the swim course.
  3. Athletes will be directed to spraychalk “X’s” painted on the grass near the shoreline to stage prior to beginning the race. The markings will be placed 6 feet apart to maintain proper distancing.
  4. The race will utilize a “time trial” start. At the start of the race, athletes in groups of 3 will approach the start line, enter the water, and begin their swim. 15 seconds later, the next group of 3 athletes will be released, and athletes in the staging area will advance to the next closest “X.” This pattern will continue until all athletes have entered the water. Based on a maximum of 200 athletes, this process would take up to 16 minutes.
SwimStart

Aid Stations

New Procedures

  1. Runners will be strongly encouraged to provide their own hydration (prefilled Camelbak, handheld bottle, etc.). Bottled water will be available in the Race Village for runners who need to fill their hydration packs.
  2. One aid station will continue to be placed on the run course. This station will be staffed by two CCR employees wearing gloves – no volunteers or spectators will be permitted.
  3. The station will consist of chilled 6-8 oz. sealed water and Gatorade bottles spaced out on two tables. Runners will grab a sealed bottle if they wish as they pass by.
  4. CCR staff will sweep the course upon completion of the event to ensure no bottles have been discarded on the property. Any bottles found will be picked up by a gloved staff member and disposed of.
Aid Station

Bike/Run Course

New Procedures

  1. CCR will continue to mark the course with directional signage and mile markers
  2. CCR will reduce the number of on-course volunteers needed by identifying critical intersections/turns and staffing those locations, and replacing non-essential volunteer locations with additional signage.
  3. Baltimore County Police will continue to control traffic at key intersections as they have in the past.
  4. CCR will continue to facilitate the use of USAT officials to monitor the cycling portion of the event

Spectators/General Public

  1. To limit the number of people at the event, registrants will be strongly encouraged to attend by themselves or with other registered members of their household.
  2. With permission from the Department of Natural Resources, CCR will place signage at the entrance of the park and entrance to all interior parking lots advising visitors of the upcoming race. This can be done as early as allowed by the park service, with a recommendation of two (2) weeks prior to the race.
  3. On the day of the event, park staff should continue to monitor the number of cars entering the park and direct vehicles to available lots until those lots reach capacity. On Saturday and Sunday, the races usually conclude by 11:00 AM, and lots quickly clear out (with the exception of the transition area lot) and become available for regular park visitors at that time.

Finish Line

New Procedures

  1. CCR staff will be positioned at the finish line to encourage athletes to continue moving after completing the race.
  2. Pre-race email communication will stress the importance of athletes not lingering in the finish area after they complete the race.
  3. Race results will be posted online immediately after runners cross the finish line and can be viewed on smartphones or at home on the computer to eliminate the need for paper results and people congregating.
  4. Minimal CCR staff will be located at the finish line, and the staff present will be wearing face coverings and gloves as needed.

Post-Race Activities/Party

New Procedures

  1. Post-race food and beverages will be limited to prepackaged snacks and sealed bottles only – no other food or drink will be offered.
  2. Due to the parking and course setup, vehicles are not permitted to leave the beach lot until all bikes are off the course. Any athletes who have finished prior to this occurring will be directed to re-enter the transition area, pick up their face covering, and wait outside the Race Village until they are permitted to remove their gear from transition and head to their vehicle.
  3. The awards ceremony will be eliminated. All award winners will have their awards mailed to them, or delivered to a local Charm City Run store to be picked up.
  4. Athletes will be continuously reminded via the p.a.system to wear a face covering and maintain social distance at all times while in the Race Village. Anyone not adhering to this guideline will be given one verbal warning, and further failure to comply will result in the disqualification of the athlete and forfeiture of the registration fee paid.

Volunteers and Event Support

New Procedures

  1. A very limited number of volunteers will be recruited to assist with the event. Use of volunteers will be limited to on-course duties where social distance can be maintained and close contact with participants is limited.
  2. All volunteers will receive a copy of the race plan, and will be briefed extensively on their duties prior to race-day in order to minimize the need for gathering onsite.
  3. All volunteers will be required to wear a face covering. If they do not have one or forget theirs on race day one will be provided by CCR.