Cancellation of MMT, BRR and other VHTRC-sponsored events this spring

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the VHTRC is canceling all club-sponsored events though mid-April, including our Bull Run Run 50-mile race.

The cancellation affects the Elizabeth Furnace 50k (March 14), MMT Training Run #3 (March 28), Bull Run Run (April 4), and Chocolate Bunny (April 11). None of these events will take place in 2020.

The VHTRC board and race directors made this decision together, and our commitment to social responsibility was the driving force behind our decision. COVID-19 spreads faster when groups gather. Canceling our spring events provides less opportunity for the virus to spread among runners and volunteers, mitigating the risk of infections among our VHTRC trail-running family, our own individual families, and the greater community and country. Think of COVID-19 like a baton at a road relay race. The danger is that you can hand off the baton to other runners before you know it makes you sick, and then they unwittingly pass it on, and it keeps going. Problem is, there’s no finish line.

We want to stress that the act of running doesn’t concern us — and you should feel safe getting outside and logging some miles — but the idea of people gathering at aid stations, packet pickup, and post-run tailgates gives us pause.

If you’re registered for any of these canceled events, you’ll be hearing from the race directors about refunds/withdrawals/deferments soon.

We will make a decision about whether to hold MMT by April 1.

Thanks for your understanding and for your help making the VHTRC a leader in our local wellness community.

Happy trails and be well,

Trevor Baine, Tracy Dahl, Bob Gaylord, Keith Knipling, Tom McNulty, Sheila Vibert, Quatro Hubbard, Katie Keier, and Kevin Sayers