Keep Running Series

Pacers Events is committed to providing all participants and event staff with a safe in-person event, and will maintain the socially distant and mask requirements set forth by the CDC and all local and state municipalities.

If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have come into contact with someone known to have COVID-19 within the last 14 days, please STAY HOME. Symptoms include: Fever or chills, 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.

Remember that not everyone will share your level of comfort with COVID-19, so please follow these guidelines at all times:

• DO NOT engage in traditional forms of physical contact (handshakes, high-fives, hugs, partner stretching) or close group pictures/selfies, unless from the same household.
• DO wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer after using a restroom/port-a-john, and touching, well, anything.  
• BE RESPECTFUL of other people’s personal space and their reactions – if they seem uncomfortable, add more space between you and them whenever possible, and maintain your social distance.

The schedule below will be followed for each race date:

Mount Vernon Trail 5K on February 14 & 21:

Start Location: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121

Group 1
125 people, in subgroups of 25 people. 5 people will start every 30 seconds.
Arrival Time: 6:30am to 6:55am
Start Time: 7:00am

Group 2
125 people, in subgroups of 25 people. 5 people will start every 30 seconds.
Arrival Time: 6:45am to 7:10am
Start Time: 7:15am

Group Start Times will be selected at the time of registration. Once the race limit has been reached, you will not be able to change your group start time, so please plan accordingly. 

Mount Vernon District Park 5K on February 28:

Start Location: 6801 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA 22307

This race will have a wave start beginning at 8:00am. Corrals of 25 participants will be assigned at time of registration on a first come, first served basis. Please plan on arriving between 30 minutes - 5 minutes prior to race start time, allowing yourself enough time to park and make your way to the start area. 

Parking and Arrival Procedures

• Please arrive at the park approximately 10 minutes prior to your group arrival time (which you selected during registration, and can be found on your confirmation email under the section titled Question Responses). This will allow you time to park and not feel rushed - and avoid overcrowding.
• Please use the bathroom and warm up BEFORE you check in. Restrooms will be available onsite - follow appropriate signage.
• After you check-in you will be asked to proceed to the starting queue area.  

A Solutions/Info table will be near the parking lot for any questions you have.  

Race Start / Finish Procedures 

• Participants will be released 5 at a time over the course of each group.
• Please do not hang around after crossing the finish line, but rather continue to the post-finisher refreshment area.
• Pre-bagged finisher refreshments will be provided; please grab one and head out when you are finished.

Safety Precautions

• ALL participants must carry a face covering during the entire event. If a participant does not have a face covering upon arrival, one will be provided to them. 
• Face masks must be covering the participants nose and mouth for all in-person interactions. 
• Masks may be lowered during the actual race except when passing, if ample distance is not available on the course.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be available on-site. 

Bring Your Own Water Bottle
Because of COVID, we are asking that every participant be as self-sufficient as possible in terms of hydration. That means starting with your own water bottle. There will be one aid station at the turn-around where there will be grab and go bottled water only.  

Trail Etiquette
Passing participants should use audible signals "passing on your left" and, when possible and safe to do so, slower participants should allow them to pass. Keep in mind, however, that it is the responsibility of the overtaking participants to pass safely. Remember, both participants are expected to put on their face coverings when passing/being passed. Please also be aware that the trail is open to the public and there may be others not involved with the race using the trail. Please give other participants and trail users extra room and be courteous.

Mile Markers
We’ll have some mile markers out on the course, but not at every mile.  
 
Earphones/Earbuds
The use of earphones/earbuds that restrict hearing is highly discouraged. If you must wear them, please lower the volume to maintain ability to hear other participants.

Recovery Tent/First Aid
Basic first aid will be available at the aid station and at the Solutions/Info table near the start/finish.   

Post-Race Beverages/Food
Bottled water and granola bars will be available at the finish. These will be pre-bagged and offered as grab-and-go. Please do not congregate at the finish. Once you finish and cool down, please grab your bag and head out.

Awards
There are no awards for any of the Keep Running Series races; however, results will be available online.