10 Weeks to 10K - 2020 Program Design

Due to the unique circumstances of the Covid-19 Pandemic, this year's training program  is as follows:

• Maximum registration.Registration for the program will be limited to 50 persons plus ten coaches. (In 2019, 82 participants and 13 coaches participated.)
• No designated in-person capstone race.In previous years the program has been affiliated with the Perfect 10 (10K or 10 miles.)  The Perfect 10 is accepting paid registrations and has a notice stating “We hope to see you out on the course in person on September 27th. However, if government guidelines regarding COVID-19 determine it best, the Perfect 10K/10Miler may be converted into a virtual race.” We have certainly enjoyed the race in previous years, however, we feel that the race fee would be excessive, should the event go virtual.  Additionally, some participants might be inclined to opt out of an in-person group race due to COVID concerns.  Therefore, instead of encouraging participation in the Perfect 10 this year, we will instead strongly urge each participant to run and continuously time any 10K or 10 mile course of their choosing, either an in-person race or a solo run, on any day from September 26 to October 18, as their capstone accomplishment of the program.  Those who report their finishing time and date of completion to us will receive a certificate.  
• The 10 Weeks to 10K program lead reserves the right to cancel the remainder of the program at any time before or during its commencement, if, in the sole judgment of the program lead, any of the following occur:
• State, local or federal guidelines that are substantially in conflict with the program are issued;
• The behavior of participants and/or coaches deviates substantially from the safety policies established, and the program lead and coaches are unable to address the deviation to their satisfaction; or
• One or more program participant(s) and/or coach(es) reports positive COVID test results to the program lead, and continuation of the program is deemed to present a significant risk of further spread.

In the event that the program is canceled, the program lead may elect to continue it as a virtual program, with each individual completing training runs or walks on his/her own.  In the event of cancellation after the second program meeting, the major expense of ordering T-shirts will be incurred, and refunds will not be made to participants after that time.

• Self-monitoring and exclusion.Participants or coaches having symptoms associated with COVID-19 must exclude themselves from attending in-person meetings. See the CDC website for a list of symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fsymptoms.html
• Social distancing.Participants and coaches not residing in the same household will be required to maintain a separation of at least six feet from others at all times when it is possible, and to refrain from physical contact including high fives, fist bumps, handshaking or hugging.  The required social distancing separation, in accordance with State of Virginia Phase Three Guidelines, increases to 10 feet during exercise and while signing or cheering.
• Hydration and car key storage.Each participant should bring his/her own hydration, for use before, during and after meetings.  The program will not provide hydration.  Additionally, temporary storage of car keys will not be provided.  Each participant will be responsible for storing or carrying his/her own car key.  Pockets with secure closures and belt packs are recommended as suitable means of key storage while running or walking.
• The program lead and coaches will conduct training walks and runs only on courses that provide suitable room for separation of passing runners/walkers, traveling in the same or opposite directions.For example, a residential road with light traffic, or footpaths directly adjacent to such a road, will be suitable.  Courses with segments on footpaths that lack suitable lateral spacing will not be used.
• Meeting locations.Only meeting locations that provide sufficient room for separation of the group will be selected.Participants and coaches will be required to maintain six feet of separation while gathering in advance of and following, meetings.  The program leads will determine a means for separating the group into several subgroups, for example, by typical running or walking pace.
• Staggered Start:It is anticipated that coaches will start small groups of 3-5 persons with similar expected pace at a time, faster paces first, with groups separated by one minute to 90 seconds.
• Masks.Participants are encouraged, but will not be required, to bring and carry a mask in the event that situations arise where proximity to others cannot be avoided. Participants will not be required to wear masks while gathering at socially distanced spacing, or while exercising.
• Reporting positive COVID tests.Any participant having a positive COVID test within two weeks of participating in person in a 10 Weeks to 10K activity is required to inform the program lead, John Koss, immediately. John can be reached at 703-606-5180 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The other participants will be notified that a participant has tested positive, and the identity of the individual will not be disclosed.  The affected individual may not participate in-person until cleared to do so by a physician.  

Candidate meeting locations and courses:

• Lake Audobon Pool at Twin Branches.There are nearly 30 parking spots in the pool parking lot, with overflow parking on Twin Branches.  An out-and-back course of Twin Branches to Glade towards Reston Parkway provides a distance of three to five miles with substantial evening shade.
• Hunters Woods Elementary School (alternative:Hunters Woods Shopping Center).The parking lot provides sufficient parking, and could be used until the school year begins.  Colts Neck to Quorn, left to the T at Quorn, and back is about 1.7 miles and nicely shaded, and a Paddock Road/Steeplechase route passing Hunters Woods pool provides additional mileage.  
• Lake Fairfax Park.Roads with sufficient width within the Park, as well as adjacent roads (Blaze, Dasher, Hunt Club, Ring, and portions of North Shore) will allow a three mile course.