We are experiencing dangerously hot and humid weather conditions here in the mid-Atlantic and I know other parts of the country are as well. While the summer is admittedly my least favorite time to go for a run, it’s my favorite season for great American road races.
The Peachtree in Atlanta, Bix 7 in Davenport, Wharf to Wharf in Santa Cruz, The Boilermaker in Utica, The Falmouth Road Race, The Crim in Flint all happen when the heat is – as my grandmother used to say – hot. I shouldn’t have started listing them because there are so many that are rooted in the great history of road running in this country.
While many events have plans in place to deal with unpredictable conditions, this period of extreme heat is a reminder to make sure you are prepared for anything on race day. Do you use the Emergency Alert System and are your staff, volunteers and participants familiar with it? Have you talked through a plan to quickly communicate any last-minute changes to those groups? Who will send the email and what graphic will you use to post on Instagram? Have you tested your AEDs and ensured all staff and key volunteers are familiar with how to use them? For many of you, the answer is a resounding and perhaps eye-rolling, yes. But even the most experienced event professionals among us aren’t immune to missing a step, especially when you’re wearing dozens of hats and juggling countless tasks. This is a reminder to take a pause, and think through your checklist.
If you’re not as up to speed as you would like to be on race day preparedness, it’s OK! Running USA is a community here to help. Whether it be working to put together a crisis communications plan, or understand how to get in touch with your local weather experts, we can put you in touch with the right fellow member that will guide you in the right direction. That’s what we are here to do and we cherish the opportunity to make the road running space better each day.
Happy Running,
Jay