The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Jog prep enhanced after Captains 5K
Greater Cleveland XC’s Bill Dennison doesn’t lack for confidence. Still, he wondered how well runners would comply with guidelines in place at last week’s Captains Grand Slam 5K.
The race marked Greater Cleveland XC’s first of the year after the novel coronavirus pandemic forced many 5Ks and other events off the schedule. Races continued virtually, but in-person racing didn’t debut in Northeast Ohio until July 4.
More than 400 runners participated in a successful race at Classic Park. Alongside a quality race, the Grand Slam 5K deployed effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that left its planners buoyed headed into the Johnnycake Jog.
“We’re ecstatic how it went off,” Dennison said. “We couldn’t have done it without the public and people just, you know what, being smart and trusting the guidelines we put in place. We’ve had nothing but compliments, we’ve had no complaints, we’ve actually had people reach out to us and say ‘How did you do that?’ “
Ohio’s Finest Five-Miler, in its 44th year, will step off the Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville July 12.
The five-mile run begins at 8:30 a.m. while the 5K run/walk is scheduled to begin at 8:45.
Packet pick-up ahead of the race is at Second Sole in Mentor from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 11. A virtual option is also available for the 2020 race. Each runner will receive a finisher medal and T-shirt.
Race-day signup and packet pick-up is only available for runners coming from out of town at the Lake County Fairground from 7 to 8:15 a.m.
Similar to the race in Eastlake, the Johnnycake Jog will start with waves of 50 runners spaced out by three-minute increments.
Runners are asked to wear their masks when they move up to the starting line, then are permitted to remove them once their race begins. Attendants at water stations around the course will wear masks and gloves, and bottled water will be available at the finish line.
No awards will be presented on race day. Restrooms will be available in the building near the starting line.
During the race, spitting is prohibited and runners must abide by the six-foot social distancing guideline when passing others. When the race is over, runners must head to their vehicles and avoid physical contact with others — including high fives, fist bumps, huddles, etc.
After the Grand Slam 5K, race organizers were encouraged by the manner in which runners followed guidelines.
“We were nervous that people wouldn’t listen, people
wouldn’t abide,” Dennison said. “I think people will get comfortable and I think we just need to be constantly reminding them why we’re there, that we do need to be safe and respect other people’s space.”
As the high school cross country season approaches, logistics implemented at road races could have applications that help the OHSAA develop protocols for the fall. Dennison coaches Mentor’s boys and girls cross teams.
The next major event on Greater Cleveland XC’s calendar is July 24 at the Friday Night Lights race, which starts and finishes inside Mentor’s Jerome T. Osborne Stadium.
“We’re pumped,” Dennison said. “We’re excited to be back. We’ve got a lot of races lined up and as long as we’re continuing to be smart about it, we can continue to do them.”