Freihofer's Run for Women Announces Health & Safety Measures for 43rd Edition
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 -- With a return to in-person racing at the 43rd Freihofer’s Run for Women now just days away (Saturday, Sept. 25 at 9 a.m.), officials at the all-women road race have outlined COVID-19 guidelines to which all event participants, volunteers and attendees will be required to adhere.
“Over the past few months our 12-person task force, which includes members of the local medical community, have examined how to ensure the safety and security of our participants, volunteers, spectators and community-at-large,” said FRW Event Director Kristen Hislop. “They have provided the event with comprehensive mitigation measures. At this time we are not requiring a vaccination to participate. We are providing all participants and volunteers with face masks. Runners and walkers will not be required to wear a mask while covering the 3.1-mile course. We ask that everyone carry a mask with them.”
Additional mitigation measures/requirements include:
-Face coverings must be worn at the Freihofer’s Run for Women’s packet pickup at The Armory at Russell Sage College (130 New Scotland Ave.) on Thursday, Sept. 23 (4-8 p.m.) and Friday, Sept. 24 (2-7 p.m.). Russell Sage College will conduct a health screening upon arrival and reserves the right to change this mitigation plan if the COVID-19 variants become more prevalent, or if state or CDC guidelines are changed.
-The event will feature a staggered race start. Athletes will be given a start corral. Their time will start when they cross the start timing mat. Running in groups that stick together for the race is discouraged unless you are in the same household.
-There will be two water stops on the course. Water will be poured in cups and handed out by volunteers with gloves. There will also be water after the finish line.
-Masks are required in the medical tent.-Following the event, participants will move through the refreshment area and pick up their post-race food.
-There will be an awards ceremony for elite, masters, age graded and USATF teams. Age group and other team (mother/daughter, friends and family, corporate, etc.) awards will be available at the awards tent near the stage.
“While we love the energy of the free Kids Run and the speed and smiles of the Junior 3K, we made the tough decision to cancel both events this year to mitigate risks around the Delta variant,” Hislop explained. “The Kids Run and Junior 3K will be back in force in 2022!
“We’re really excited to welcome participants back to running on the streets of Albany,” she concluded. “The event will feature the same start on Washington Avenue with a loop through the park and a fast downhill finish in front of City Hall. We ask that all involved follow our mitigation plan to ensure safe and enjoyable experience for everyone!”
For additional information about the 43rd annual Freihofer’s® Run for Women, visit freihofersrun.com. From the homepage, you can also link to the event's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube pages.
The event’s newsroom can be found here.
About the Freihofer’s Run for Women
Founded in 1979 as the Freihofer’s Run for Life, the Freihofer’s Run for Women is one of the nation’s most prestigious all-women road races. Home to the Masters World Best & U.S. All-Comers record of 15:48 set in 2004 by Colleen DeReuck, the 5K features some of America’s best long-distance runners and more than 3,000 women from 28 countries and 30 states who challenge themselves on a course that begins and ends adjacent to the New York State Capitol. From Olympians to recreational runners, it’s an empowering blend of competition, participation and camaraderie. For more information, please visit freihofersrun.com.