Spring Sprint

Event Date: April 10, 2021
Event website: https://www.parksrec.com/
On-line Registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Alcoa/SpringSprintTN
5K USATF number: TN15015MS
Description:

SPRING SPRINT 5K RACE CANCELLED FOR 2020 DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Hello,

As a previous participant in our Healthy Blount Triple Crown of Running race events, we would like to share some information with you regarding our three races for 2020.  As many of you know, we had to move our Spring Sprint 5k from its original April date to June 20 so that we could hopefully get more information regarding COVID-19 and state and federal recommendations for a new race date.  Unfortunately at this time, the state does not allow for those to gather in groups of 50 or more for special events without strict social distancing measures in place, and the city of Alcoa is not permitting special events to take place in the city where roads and emergency personnel are needed, so we will need to cancel our Spring Sprint 5K for this year.  We are also aware that runners are still unsure if they want to participate or not due to the uncertainty with COVID-19 right now.  In cancelling this race, we realize this affects our Healthy Blount Triple Crown of Running series for 2020, and we will not be able to offer our Triple Crown of Running program this year (with cash prizes for top contenders, mementos, and door prizes).

Also, the Scholars Run 5K which is a part of our Triple Crown of Running (directed by Total Race Solutions), is also feeling the effects of COVID-19 at this time due to Maryville College not being open for events or programs on campus yet, and the college is understandably not sure of when they will open things back up for large groups on the campus.  Seeking sponsorship for races is also another concern at this time as many businesses and organizations are hurting and are not able to support special events this summer.  With all of this in mind, the Scholars Run race on Aug. 1 will also need to cancel for this year unfortunately as well.

We do hope and plan to have the Reindeer Run on Sunday, Dec. 6 in Maryville as we are hopeful that local, state, and federal guidelines will ease IF COVID-19 precautions allow for larger gatherings by that point in time.

If you have already signed up for the 3 race TC discount in the 2020 Healthy Blount Triple Crown of Running series, we will soon be deferring your Run Signup registrations (or your account with Parks & Rec if you paid in the office) for 2 cancelled races in hopes that you can join us for our Spring Sprint and Scholars Run races in 2021.  For those already registered for the Triple Crown, we will leave your entry in for this year the Reindeer Run for 2020 since plans are hopeful for a race on Dec. 6 as originally planned.  If you signed up for the Spring Sprint 5K at this point (for that specific race only), we will be deferring your registration for that race entry as well. We will be sending a separate email to all registered participants asking each of them to acknowledge whether they are okay with being deferred to the 2021 events, want to donate their entry fee to Parks and Recreation, or if they want a refund of their registration fee to their credit card. Please contact us if you have any questions.  Please DO NOT dispute your credit card charges with your credit card company as that costs us a significant extra fee.  We would be glad to help you through Run Signup or another way.

We have gone ahead and planned to set the 2021 dates for the Spring Sprint to April 10, 2021 and the Scholar's Run to July 31, 2021.  We appreciate your patience and hope you are able to find safe ways to run safely individually or in small groups with social distancing measures.  We recommend that you always be aware that COVID-19 is spread more contagiously by droplets from someone infected.  Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html for more information and what to consider when running with others.  We hope to see you in December and in 2021!