Run LoCo the latest COVID-19 vic

Lewis went into the board meeting with what she felt like was a good plan on how the race could operate safely.

“We had to look at areas where runners would be coming in contact with other people. So we could wear masks at the start line, they could drop them there and we could pick them up,” Lewis said. “We felt like the start line was manageable. Water stations is an area that we could screen volunteers in masks and gloves. Food and nutrition for after the race we could do outside. We have access to a couple of different food trucks and we thought we could serve out of those so that would work. We could hold the award ceremony outside and that would work. So those are some of the major areas, and I felt like we still had a very good ability to run the race, but the ultimate stumbling block would be our ability to get volunteers.

“That race requires a minimum of 150 volunteers and really I like — 200 is better — and we could really almost use 300,” she added. “Our ability to get volunteers, so many people don’t feel comfortable being out and to be asked.”

Had LCEF moved forward, Lewis believes the marathon would have had a large turnout due to other race cancellations.

There was no discussion of postponing until the spring, she said.

“We are deeply disappointed that we had to make the tough decision to cancel this year’s Run LoCo race,” Jim Lang, LCEF board chairman, said. “However, in regards to the personal safety and health of our runners, officials and our volunteers, the board members felt it is the right decision. The foundation will be focusing its efforts and enthusiasm into next year’s race.”

Lenoir City has agreed to leave its $1,000 donation for Run LoCo.

Loudon County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw on Monday said the county budget committee favored removing its $2,500 contribution. A vote by Loudon County Commission will occur Sept. 8.

“We certainly have more time to plan it,” Lewis said. “We have a lot of really good experienced people with a lot of know-how that had just started working with us this year that will have the opportunity to continue putting some really good ideas down. I really do feel like it will be a strong effort for next year, and some things that we did last year, like the nutrition that we had for the runners after the race we did it here in this building and I like the idea of doing it out of a food truck. That way we can do it a little closer to the finish line. Even some of the ideas that we had to come up with to be able to run it in COVID, I think, will still be good ideas for not COVID.”

Loudon High School teacher Christina Adkins agreed to be race director in 2021. She believes the extra time can only be beneficial.

“Before when they first told me I was the race director, this was in the summer, that only gave me roughly about six months to prepare and now that it’s pushed until December of 2021, I mean I have a year and a half to plan for the race, which can only make it better,” Adkins said.

She’s still disappointed the race had to be called off.

“It was pretty disappointing because we did work hard,” Adkins said. “We found a guy that designed our T-shirts. We had great designs that we were trying to pick and choose from for the T-shirts and medals. So we have that set, we can still use that for next year. I did want to try and do an ambassador program to kind of help grow the marketing campaign for the race.”

Run LoCo last year brought in $22,154.74. Lewis said the race has raised $37,000 since beginning in 2018.

“All of our obligations have been met for the year, but our ability to increase our contributions for the year has been severely cut,” Lewis said. “What we’ll be able to do this year is minimal as opposed to the larger kind of effort. ... We were forced to cancel Young Achievers this year, but all of our sponsors allowed us to keep the money despite not having the event because they understood that that money is what we use to fund Great Idea! Grants. The Tate & Lyle grant that’s $15,000, that has already come through, so that grant application is already out. We were able to fund our scholarships this year.”

LCEF also called off September’s Dine Out for Education. That effort typically brings in $3,000-$4,000. Lewis said last year it collected $3,3390.19.

“It’s just not a good time to ask restaurants to participate,” she said.