March 26, 2020

Dear runners,

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to grow here in our local area, we are taking every precaution to keep communities, our staff members, and our volunteers healthy. As such, and in line with guidance from national, state and local officials, we regret to inform you that we must cancel the 2020 Run for the Red Pocono Marathon and Half Marathon, which was scheduled for May 17.

All of the people supporting the races are Red Cross staff and volunteers. Moving forward, it’s important to allow these folks to continue focusing on the Red Cross’s lifesaving work. Even during the coronavirus outbreak, the Red Cross continues to respond daily to home fires and other disasters across our region.

The Red Cross is also working around the clock to protect our nation’s blood supply. Red Cross blood drives are essential to maintaining a readily available supply for hospital patients. Continuing to host blood drives is critical to public health preparedness and is the Red Cross’s responsibility during this time of uncertainty.

The Run for the Red is the largest fundraiser of the year for the American Red Cross in the Poconos. While this decision was a difficult one for many reasons, we are confident that all our runners will continue funding the Red Cross’s lifesaving work now and in the future.

After further discussion with American Red Cross leadership and our race committee, it was decided that deferrals to the 2021 Run for the Red would not be the best option for all involved and will not be offered. However, it is our plan to run our 15th marathon and half marathon on May 16, 2021.

I strongly encourage all registered runners to turn their 2020 registration into a tax-deductible donation to the American Red Cross. Their lifesaving work is especially critical during this uncertain time.

If you do not wish to make a donation at this time, you can request a refund of your registration.

Email your registration donation OR refund request to info@poconomarathon.org. Tell us if you want to donate or refund and include your first and last name in the email.

Refunds will go to your original payment card. The Active.com service fee and registration insurance premium cannot be refunded. Allow a minimum of four weeks before refunds begin to be processed.

Refund requests will be processed through May 31, 2020. If you do not email info@poconomarathon.org a donation or refund request by May 31, 2020 your registration will be converted into a donation to the American Red Cross. No refunds will be given after May 31, 2020.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work through this very uncertain time. Stay safe and stay healthy!

Zack Booth
Race Director
Run for the Red

March 12, 2020

The Run for the Red Marathon and Half Marathon puts runner and volunteer safety first. Facing the threat of COVID-19, the following plan of action has been implemented.

The 2020 races are currently on as scheduled. The Governor of Pennsylvania has suggested that gatherings of greater than 250 people be suspended for the next 14 days. Our May 16-17 event weekend is more than 60 days away – too far in the future to predict the status of the COVID-19 outbreak. We are in contact with our local health officials to monitor the evolving situation closely. The Run for the Red will only be cancelled if a government order prohibits events with large gatherings.

If necessary, here are some of the actions the Run for the Red is prepared to take to reduce risk on race weekend:

• Runners and volunteers will be instructed how to self-screen and to stay home if they feel ill or have flu-like symptoms.
• Water station and finish line volunteers will wear surgical gloves.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at all race areas, including expo, start, finishes, and water stops.
• Hydration stations may offer individual sized sealed water bottles so volunteers aren’t pouring and handling open cups.
• Hydration stations may offer individual sized sealed Gatorade bottles so volunteers aren’t preparing, pouring, and handling open cups.
• The Expo may be cancelled with packet pickup moving outdoors.

Runners who are experiencing illness or flu-like symptoms should stay home. As always, we encourage runners to purchase registration protection at checkout.

If the 2020 Run for the Red is cancelled by a government ordered COVID-19 quarantine, it will not be rescheduled. Please understand that our no refund policy remains in effect. The Run for the Red has already spent money to purchase items such as shirts, medals, and other services and the American Red Cross cannot possibly absorb these costs and issue refunds. However, if the race is cancelled, all registered runners will be offered a registration deferral to the 2021 race. This deferral is good for entry in the 2021 Run for the Red only. If the 2020 races proceed, our no refund, no deferral policy remains in effect.

The American Red Cross and Run for the Red Committee thank you for your support and understanding during this unprecedented public health emergency.

Another update will be posted on Thursday March 26th.

Zack Booth
Race Director
Run for the Red