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2021 Drake Road Races To Host In-Person Races April 18!

Drake Road Races welcomes back runners to the Blue Oval Sunday, April 18 at Drake Stadium

In collaboration with local officials, the Drake Road Races are excited to announce that the 2021 Drake Road Races will be held in-person Sunday, April 18. Races will start outside Drake Stadium and finish on the iconic Blue Oval with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place. The event will take on a hybrid model with participants retaining the ability to participate virtually anywhere in the country from April 17-25. 

The road running community is excited to return to live racing while ensuring the health and safety of all participants, volunteers and staff. To ensure the health and safety of all involved, participants can expect the following changes for the 2021 Drake Road Races:
  • Reducing the field size to a maximum capacity of 2,000 participants which will include no more than 1,225 5k participants and 775 Half Marathon participants.
  • Canceling the 10k race due to COVID-19 safety precautions in 2021. All current 10k registrants will be notified about their registration options.
  • Packet pick up will be available on Saturday, April 17 in the Knapp Center to those who are registered for the in-person event; a mask requirement and social distancing protocol will be in effect. There will not be vendors or a speaker series. Registrants who remain virtual will be shipped their race packet and will not be able to pick it up in person. More information regarding packet pick up scheduling and protocols will be announced at a later date.
  • Staggered start times will be implemented while also limiting the number of athletes per wave in order to safely start all runners and limit crowd size at the start line.
  • Face coverings will be required to be worn by all participants when not racing, including pre-race staging and upon crossing the finish line.
  • Post race activities such as award ceremonies and the recovery zone will not be available. Finishers will receive their prepackaged items and be asked to exit the stadium. 
With limited capacity for each race distance, all current registrants and those who elected to defer their registration from 2020 will be given the first opportunity to switch to the in-person event. Registrants will be notified via email with instructions on how to update their registration by the deadline of March 15. 
Registration will open back up to the public on March 16, when there will be limited registrations available for each race distance. The in-person event prices are:
  • 5k - $40
  • Half - $80

Questions about registration and COVID-19 protocols can be found at our FAQ here:
https://www.drakeroadraces.org/faqs
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