Flower City Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellen Brenner-Boutillier, VP/CFO YellowJacket Racing & Fleet Feet
585-697-3338 x101; ellen@fleetfeetrochester.com

YellowJacket Racing Races Scheduled through end of April are Postponed

Rochester, NY March 12, 2020: For the first time in its 22 years of producing races for the Rochester region, YellowJacket Racing will be postponing all running races that are scheduled between now and the end of April.  This decision is in accordance with the direction from the City of Rochester and Monroe County guidelines and requests regarding COVID-19 and mass gatherings.  This includes:

·         Roots n Road on March 21st

          Dirt Cheap Race 1 on April 8th

·         Hippity Hop Fun Run and Kids Egg Hunt on April 11th

·         Rochester Regional Health Flower City Challenge on April 19th

Safety of our participants, volunteers, spectators and community at large is paramount in this decision.  It is a difficult decision, but important decision for all.  Our staff is working diligently with our Race Registration portal to put forth the following accommodations for each event noted below.  Please know a specific note to participants of each event will be sent once we are able to create the accommodations within the registration portal. This does take time as this unprecedented situation is new for everyone, including our registration portal company.  This postponement is not in an isolated pocket and is happening everywhere with nationwide races, thus the programmers at the registration portal are working quickly to help accommodate.  Please know we are working swiftly to get this completed including website and social media updates and will be in touch with specifics as they are formalized.

The following accommodations will be made for each event.

Roots n Road - PostponedThis event will be rescheduled to August 22nd or 23rd in Mendon Ponds Park.

Dirt Cheap Race 1 – Postponed - This event will be rescheduled to Wednesday, September 9th in Mendon Ponds Park

Hippity Hop Fun Run & Egg Hunt - The virtual run will remain as this event can be done on your own anywhere you’d like even indoors, however the Free Kids Egg Hunt and Family Fun Run/Walk will be cancelled

Rochester Regional Health Flower City Challenge – Postponed

This event is one of the largest in the Rochester region with over 3000 competitors and upwards of 5,000 plus spectators and volunteers.  There are countless moving parts including local municipalities, sponsors, venues, vendors including the efforts of Fleet Feet and its staff.  The City of Rochester and Blue Cross Arena is working with us to reschedule this event to the Fall of 2020.  There are many stakeholders in determining a date, and we will communicate once we have more solid information. 

The following accommodations will be made for each separate event:

Rochester Regional Health Half Marathon

Please allow us time to set up these options during this ever changing and fluid time.

·         All current registrants will be transferred to the Fall 2020 event

OR

·         If the new Fall Date doesn’t meet your schedule you may choose one of the following:

o    Transfer to Shoreline Half Marathon on July 11th

OR

o    Transfer to Rochester Half Marathon on September 20th

Wegmans Family 5K

Please allow us time to set up these options during this ever changing and fluid time.

·         All current registrants will be transferred to the Fall 2020 event

OR

·         If the new Fall Date doesn’t meet your schedule you may choose one of the following:

o    Transfer to Shoreline 5K on July 11th

OR

o    Transfer to Rochester 5K on September 19th

Half Marathon Relay

Please allow us time to set up these options during this ever changing and fluid time.

·         All current registrants will be transferred to the Fall 2020 event

OR

·         If the new Fall Date doesn’t meet your schedule you may choose one of the following:

o    Transfer to the NEW Shoreline Half Marathon Relay on July 11th

OR

o    Transfer to Made in the ROC 10K on August 16th

Kids 13.1/1.1

Please allow us time to set up these options during this ever changing and fluid time.

·         All current registrants will be transferred to the Fall 2020 event

OR

·         If the new Fall Date doesn’t meet your schedule you may transfer to the Rochester Kids 26.2 on September 19th

·         Please note the Kids 13.1 Kickoff Event on March 29th is Cancelled

To reiterate, the entire YellowJacket Racing team is working diligently to affect these accommodations as quickly as possible and we want to provide with as many opportunities as possible given the circumstances.

We appreciate the support the support of the Rochester Community at this time, as everyone is highly effected by our current national climate.  We take this situation very seriously and are following protocols set for by our local and state authorities.  We wish for everyone to be safe and healthy and will work with our municipal leaders in doing that.  Owners, Boots and Ellen would like to take this time to thank our staff for their work and patience in ensuring customer and participant safety.

Specific questions can be directed to events@yellowjacketracing.com. 

About YellowJacket Racing—YellowJacket Racing is a locally owned event production and race timing company, producing upwards of 50 events including the Webster Turkey Trot, Flower City Challenge, Rochester Marathon, Reindeer Run, FireCracker Five Mile and the Brighton Chamber of Commerce 5K; plus providing timing services to upwards of 25 events within New York State.  For more information, visit www.yellowjacketracing.com.

About Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet is a locally owned and operated specialty store carrying footwear, apparel and accessories for walkers and runners. At Fleet Feet, you will find a welcoming environment where runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts of all abilities receive unparalleled service and support. For more information, visit www.fleetfeetrochester.com. 

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