Updated 1.9.2020
One of the most important goals in Nuuksio Classic preparation is the health and safety of the participants. In this article, we describe steps to minimize the risk of corona infection in the event.
Nuuksio Classic arrangements are guided by official instructions and regulations related to the corona epidemic. The authorities are constantly monitoring the situation of the epidemic and updating the guidelines as necessary. Although the epidemic situation in Finland is currently calm, the threat of a renewed epidemic still exists.
In the event of a sudden deterioration in the disease situation or other corona-related circumstances that prevent the event from being organized safely, the event will be canceled from 2020. In this case, participants can either postpone their participation until 2021 or get a refund of their participation fee reduced by a € 6 office fee. The event will also be canceled if the number of participants has to be significantly reduced compared to the situation in mid-August.
Foreign participants registered for the event: Due to possible difficulties in travel arrangements and travel restrictions from certain countries, participants arriving from abroad may choose to cancel their participation at no cost or postpone it until next year. For refund, please contact us by email, nuuksioclassic@gmail.com.
This guideline will be updated based on the guidance from the authorities and as the event plans get finalised. Precautions may be lifted if permitted by official regulations for September. On the other hand, if necessary, new measures can also be introduced to enable the event to be carried out safely.
To ensure the safety of all persons arriving at the event, both participants and volunteers should read these instructions carefully and act in accordance with the instructions.
Guidelines based on regulations issued by the Regional State Administrative Agency on 1.7.2020:
1. You must not participate in Nuuksio Classic if you have flu symptoms or have recently been exposed to corona
The coronavirus causes a respiratory infection, the symptoms of which may include e.g. cough, sore throat, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, abdominal symptoms and headache.
Nuuksio Classic should not be entered if symptoms suggestive of the disease appear within two weeks before the event. This is the most important rule to control the spread of the disease.
A participant experiencing corona-related symptoms can postpone the run until next year with their own notice via email (nuuksioclassic@gmail.com) without a medical certificate. With a negative corona test result and at least two days without symptoms, it is possible to participate.
However, a negative test result is not enough for situations where a person is expected to remain in voluntary quarantine. For postponing due to other health reasons, a certificate from a health care professional still be requested.
A participant must also stay home in the event that he or she has returned less than 14 days before the race from a country or region to which the authorities recommend to avoid travel. More information on THL website.
Likewise, we ask those runners who know that they have been exposed to a corona within 14 days before the race to skip the race. In both situations, the starting slot can be postponed to next year with your own email notice.
2. Avoidance of unnecessary physical contact at the event venue
The coronavirus is transmitted primarily as a droplet infection. The number of unnecessary physical contacts to control infections should still be minimized. In order to avoid close contacts and maintain safety distances, Nuuksio Classic will act in 2020 as follows:
- The race office and the distribution of race materials will be carried out outdoors. The material is distributed in an area through which the participants go and collect their own participant material themselves. The participant’s material is automatically registered as retrieved using the timing system based on the number tag in the number bib. Remember safety distances in the area. One participant can pick up materials for several runners.
- There will be no pre-event program on Friday night this year.
- Runners arriving at the event on the race bus must wear a face mask covering the airways on the bus. For example, a multi-folded Buff scarf can be used for this purpose.
- Wearing a mask is required inside the hotel in the public areas such as in the lobby, bag storage rooms, aisles. One-way traffic planned earlier seemed out to be too difficult to arrange. Note, bring your own mask! There will be a limited amount of basic masks sold in the race office for 1€/piece.
- Nuuksio70 Trail Ultra and the second starting group of the marathon are split in two groups. In this way, the marathon will have four starting groups, each about 100 runners. Also both Nuuksio70 start groups are under 100 runners. To minimize queues on the trail, groups set off every five minutes. You will find your own starting group on the start list, which will be published about two weeks before the event.
- Start groups will be staged at 15 minutes intervals to reduce close contacts in the event center and along the course. Get familiar with the updated schedule.
- The starting area has a starting grid where each runner selects a start box for themselves. The size of the boxes ensures the safety distance in the starting area.
- The functions of the aid stations are spread over a sufficiently large area to make it easier to maintain safety distances. At Nuuksio70 Trail Ultra aid stations where snacks are available, they are served pre-packaged.
- During the run, many runners will need to sneeze or spit. When this happens, do it safely for other runners: use a napkin or make sure there is enough space to the runner behind and in front of you (at least 5m).
- The first aid team is using protective masks and gloves and minimises physical contact with the patient in first aid situations. In the case of resuscitation, no mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is used.
- After the race in the finish area: Keep a sufficient safety distance to other runners. There may be special arrangements for serving snacks in the finish area.
- Post-run lunch will be served outdoors and in the hotel restaurant. A large enough area is reserved for so that safety distances can be kept. Pay attention to the corona guidelines of the restaurant.
- Traditionally, after the run, the saunas have been full. To speed up washing, the saunas are not heated, only shower is available. In addition, there are four rooms with showers near the hotel lobby that can be used. Changing rooms will be added to the lakeside to add capacity for lake wash. Where possible, runners staying at the hotel should have a shower in their own room. Consider also having a shower only at home.
- Saturday night dinner will be arranged according to the instructions of the hotel restaurant.
- Install Koronavilkku (the Finnish corona tracking app) if it has been released before the event.
3. Taking care of hand and cough hygiene
The coronavirus is transmitted primarily as a droplet infection. By ensuring proper coughing and hand hygiene, it is possible to prevent infections.
- Hand sanitizer is available indoors, at the start and finish area and along the route at service points.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before eating and after sneezing or coughing, or when your hands are visibly dirty. Dry your hands with disposable paper hand towels.
- When sneezing or coughing, place a napkin in front of the mouth and discarded immediately after use. If a napkin is not available, protect your mouth with an elbow bend. The hands are then washed. NB! Don’t litter on the race route! Take napkins to trash bins at the aid stations.
- Use face mask on the race bus. Otherwise, a mask can be used if desired, taking into account the general instructions for mask use.
As the official guideline for the mask use are likely to be in place during the event, we recommend to prepare, both mentally and in practice, for wearing a mask in the competition center in public areas.
4. Cleaning
The interior of the competition center is cleaned in accordance with the cleaning instructions of the National Institute of Occupational Health. Outdoor toilets are cleaned every 2-4 hours. There will be disinfectant in the portable toilets that we recommend to be used to wipe the surfaces before every use.
5. If coronavirus infection is detected in Nuuksio Classic
The investigation of the infection chains is the responsibility of the doctor responsible for infectious diseases in the municipality or hospital district. If an infection is found in Nuuksio Classic, those exposed to it will be traced and they will be quarantined for 14 days by the doctor in charge in accordance with the Infectious Diseases Act. If necessary, the contact details included in the registration information will be used to reach the exposed persons.
