RVM Announces Vaccination Status for Live Races

MEDIA RELEASE

(Victoria, BC – September 15, 2021) The Victoria Marathon Society has announced that participants, volunteers and on-site personnel will need to be double vaccinated, showing proof of vaccination for COVID-19, for the in-person Half Marathon and 8K on Sunday, October 10. Masks will also be mandatory at the start and finish line areas but can be removed when racing.

This in-person event policy has been introduced following the recent announcement from the provincial health officer that states individuals will now be required to provide proof of vaccination to access a broad range of social, recreational, and discretionary events in B.C.

“Athletics Canada has announced that they are requiring double vaccination for participants in the events that they are hosting,” said Jonathan Foweraker, President, Victoria Marathon Society. “It is out of an abundance of caution that we are implementing this requirement for the health and safety of everyone – we don’t want the race to be a super-spreader event.”

Participants will be required to show their proof of vaccination alongside valid government photo ID at race package pick-up, being held from October 7 – 9 at Crystal Gardens, and at race day package pick-up on Sunday, October 10. Masks are required in the start and finish line areas and are strongly recommended in the areas surrounding the race. For the purposes of the provincial order, a mask or face covering is defined as a medical or non-medical mask that covers the nose and mouth. Face shields and race wraps are not a substitute for a mask and masks will be provided onsite if participants do not have one.

“Our volunteers, sponsors and suppliers on race weekend will also be adhering to the health guidelines,” said Cathy Noel, GM & Race Director. “We are excited to be able to offer in-person racing and while we know this isn't an ideal situation, we want to do our part to ensure that events like ours are able to be back to full capacity in 2022."