The 150 mile relay footrace through the hills of Ross County with ten person teams was to step off April 17th. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, race organizers decided to push the event into the summer.
Race Director Dave Huggins announced the move on Facebook April 4th when it was apparent the pandemic left uncertainty and a record number of race teams were pulling out as concerns about the virus spread across the news.
“COVID-19 came up on the radar… there was a mandate that came out, you couldn’t have gatherings of 100 people” Huggins told Litter Media. “We ended up with 106 teams which is a new record for us… but we felt like we could plan around it.” Then with restaurants and schools closing Huggins reaction was “Whoa, maybe what we think we can do is not possible and with everyone’s safety felt we’d postpone the race.”
The virus touched close to home as one of Huggins’ right hand men, William Presson, fell victim to COVID-19. He and Huggins were painting the race markings for runners in mid-March. Presson, a healthcare worker for The James Cancer Center in Columbus contracted COVID-19. He’s since on the path to recovery.
“I think that’s something we need to be aware of as people who live in Southern Ohio” said Huggins “we think we’re insulated from it”.
The race, now in its fourth year, benefits the M.A.D.E. Program of the Drug Free Clubs of America Ross County Chapter. Learn more about the program and the plans for the July running of the race in the full interview with Huggins below.
