2023 Safety Plan
Updated October 13, 2023 - 1:10 PM

This safety plan below is designed to cover the Belle Isle New Year's Eve Run event to be held on Saturday, December 31, 2023. While we recognize the impact the pandemic has had on our communities, we are also aware that things may look very different in December. As such, we will again be implementing processes and procedures to keep everyone safe—runners, volunteers, and our own staff.

Community Directors involved in preparing this safety plan:

  1. Stephen Moran – EnMotive Senior Event Manager
  2. Joe Baldwin – USATF Certified Course Manager
Expo & Packet Pickup

In a typical year, the Belle Isle Casino serves as packet pickup for our participants. The location is an inside facility and is held on the day of the event. Race Day packet pickup is offered for two (2) hours prior to the race start.

2023 Plan: Due to the Belle Isle Casino being under renovation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has deemed it unsafe to occupy the building. Race day packet pick-up will be held outside of the Casino in designated tents. Please plan accordingly.

Field Size — Normal field capacity is 1,100 participants broken down into the following events:

Sunday

  • 1-Mile Fun Run: 100 runners
  • The "Bubbly" 5-One Combo: 200 Runners
  • 5K Run: 600 Runners
  • 5K Walk: 200 Walkers

2023 Plan: The goal for 2023 is to maintain the overall field size and adjust the timeline of events to allow for adequate social distancing at the Start Line, Finish Line, and Refreshments Area. By adjusting the start times, we are essentially creating three independent events which helps determine the field capacity numbers:

Field capacity to be 1,200 participants broken down into the following events:

Friday

  • 1-Mile Fun Run: 100 runners
  • The "Bubbly" 5-One Combo: 200 Runners
  • 5K Run/Walk: 900 Runners

Start Times

  • 1-Mile Fun Run: 3:30 PM | Finish Time between 3:35 PM and 3:55 PM
  • 5K: 4:00 PM | Finish Time between 4:15 PM and 5:30 PM

Course Maps

The course routes for each event allow for adequate social distancing, provide minimal or no overlap, and allow for start lines to have numerous corrals for staging.

Masking

  • All participants may, but are not required to, wear masks/face covering in non-competition times:
    • Pre and post race
    • Start Line Corrals
    • Immediate finish line
  • All staff and volunteers may, but are not required to, wear masks with complete coverage of the nose and mouth as described in CDC guidelines.

Communications

  • Outline safety procedures for participants, staff/volunteers, and spectators;
  • Publish on registration page and website;
  • Email to participants prior to race day.
  • Diagrams outlining specific patterns of flow will be developed; specifically diagrams for the packet pickup, start line, aid station, finish line, and refreshments will be developed.

Sanitation

  • Hand sanitizers provided on all tables.

Start Lines — Corrals & Social Distancing

5K/1-Mile

  • The Start line for the 5K is located directly in front of the Belle Isle Casino.
  • Runners will be allowed line up according to their expected pace. Faster runners to the front with slower runners to the back.

Water / Aid Stations

  • No nutrition/water on course

Finish Line & Post Race

  • Finish line chute will be roped to keep runners moving to the exits
  • Runners "encouraged" to leave finish area ASAP
  • Results streamed live and sent to mobile devices
  • No awards ceremonies. Overall awards available for pick-up inside Casino
  • Finisher medals will be distributed at packet pickup
  • Pre-packaged food items available at the finish line following event.