6th Authentic Phidippides Run | Covid 19 Health Protocol

The Athletic and Cultural Club Athenian Runners (ATHINAIOI DROMEIS) proceeded to the preparation of the following protocol for the 6th Authentic Phidippides Run Athens-Sparta-Athens 490 km that will be held from 19 to 23 November 2021, aiming to contribute to the safest possible presence of runners, organizers, judges, volunteers, etc.

The following rules / measures / procedures may be revised in case the epidemiological data change, based on the recommendations of the expert scientists and the Health Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports.

GENERAL RULES

It is estimated that 40-50 runners will participate to the run. In case the number of runners exceeds 50, then the runners will be separated to blocks of up to 50 persons. Each block will start with a time interval of at least 10 minutes between them. In each block, the distances between the participants will be 2m in all directions.

The use of masks will be mandatory indoors and its use will be recommended in open spaces where congestion is observed. Athletes are excluded of wearing a mask during the run.

All staff / volunteers / judges / associates (approximately 400 people) will wear a protective mask and will be fully trained and educated regarding the procedures and regulations of the event, as well as the content of this Health Protocol. They will also carry out a self-test on the days of the run and will have the negative result with him.

At various points of the run (start / central stations / supply points) there will boards with the basic rules that must be followed. Recommendations to avoid hugs and handshakes will be included.

There will be medical coverage by doctors, rescuers, and ambulances. The instructions of the National Public Health Organization will be followed.

Also:

• Spectators: The presence of spectators will be prohibited.
• Instructions for disinfection of common equipment:
  According to the instructions of the National Public Health Organization for cleaning / disinfection of non-sanitary areas: https://eody.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/covid19-apolimansi-14-05-20.pdf
  Disinfection is recommended before and after using the equipment.
• Case management on athletes, technical staff, or club / federation / facility staff:
  National Public Health Organization guidelines for the general population: https://eody.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/COVID19-lixi-karantinas-apomonosis.pdf
• Transportation: The transportation of participating athletes, staff, judges, etc. for the purposes of the event will be done in accordance with the protocols of the National Public Health Organization for transportation.

ATHLETES’ BRIEFING – RECEIPT OF PARTICIPATION NUMBER

The briefing of the athletes, distribution of numbers and delivery of personal supplies will take place the day before the run at the Melina Cultural Center in Keramikos. All participants in the briefing will wear a mask. Participation will be strictly limited to runners, their support team, and organizers / volunteers (visitors will not be allowed to enter). Antiseptics will be available. The doctor covering the run will also be present at the briefing.

Conditions for receiving the number:

• Original recent medical certificate of good health (with a date not older than 6 months before the start of the run).
• Covid PCR test 72 hours or rapid test 48 hours from the day of the run. It is clarified that the participation of athletes under 18 years old is prohibited.
• Participants presenting a vaccination certificate or a disease certificate (issued 30 days after the first positive test and valid for up to 180 days after the disease), are not required to present Covid PCR or rapid test.

The runners will be able to deliver personal refueling materials, so that they can be carried by the organizers to specific supply points or central stations. All these materials will be placed in disposable plastic bags, that will be provided by the event organizers (each bag will have the BIB No. of the athlete and the Number of the supply point / central station).

During the briefing, the runners will be informed about all the safety rules that must be followed and will receive relevant printed material.

START

The rules of individual sports will be followed as they apply. Runners will be advised to wear a protective mask until they take their position at the start. There will be special bins for the disposal of masks. The event organizers will not allow the presence of any person who is not directly related to the run.

The runners who will take their position at the start will be asked to keep a 2m distance from the other runners in all directions.

RUN

There will be a recommendation to follow the rules of individual sports as they apply (avoid a distance of less than 1,5m). Runners should run wearing a jersey, which in no case should be removed before, during or after the finish of the run.

Given the nature of the run, no crowding is expected at a supply point / central station, and, as the run progresses, the time gaps between the athletes are expected to widen.

At each supply point / central station, there will be antiseptics and the volunteers will wear a mask and will take care of constant hand hygiene.
The food that will be provided, will be packaged and will be given to the runners by the volunteers in a safe way. Meals will be distributed at the central stations in disposable plastic containers, which will be discarded immediately after use.

In case a runner has to pick up a bag with personal supplies, that bag will be delivered to the runner by the volunteers, i.e., the runners will not be allowed to search for their bag among others.

Disposable aluminum blankets will be available at all central stations for those runners who wish to rest and cover themselves. If mattresses are used, they will be disinfected by the volunteers immediately after each use.

There will be adequate medical coverage along the way from doctors, rescuers, and ambulance, who will manage any suspected case of Covid that may occur.

In case a runner leaves the run, or in case the departure of the runner is deemed necessary by the organizers or the medical officials, then the runner will be transported to Athens by a special van that will accompany the runners for this purpose. All necessary measures (occupancy rate, use of a mask, etc.) will be followed inside the van.

TERMINATION – AWARDS – CLOSING CEREMONY

Due to the nature of the run, the finish will take place gradually. Athletes will receive their medals themselves from a table, without contact, without crowding.

The closing ceremony will take place on 23/11 at the Melina Cultural Center in “Keramikos”. The same rules described for briefing, will be followed.