COVID-19 change for 2021

The 2021 edition of St Croix 40 Winter Ultra will be unique due to the global pandemic of COVID-19. In order to comply with restrictions, and to be good citizens of the world, we need to take a different approach in how we put on a race of this nature. In many ways, this year’s participants will be getting the added benefit of being even MORE self-sufficient than in other years. We like to think of this as a bonus.

As of this writing we still do not know 100% if the event will take place. Our intention is to continue to hold the race, as long as it can be done in a safe manner and complies with State and local guidance. If we are able to have the race there are a number of changes to our standard routine, and we ask you to please read through all of these carefully.

• The pre-race meeting will be pre-recorded and sent to participants at least a week before the event.
• Face coverings will be required at all times before and after the race, and at the checkpoint. You are free to remove your covering while out on the trail.
• Participants will be put in to waves of 20 or less. We should be able to accommodate most special requests for 2-3 people to start together in the same wave. Please reach out to us with any needs.
• Participants will have their temperatures checked upon arrival. Any participant with a temperature higher than 100.0° will be asked to leave.
• Participants will not be allowed inside the Trail Center building except to use the bathroom, before and after the race. The Trail Center building is reserved for race officials, volunteers, and medical emergencies only.
• Remain in your vehicle until your wave’s designated staging time. When your staging time arrives, proceed to the start area and begin setting up your bivy sack and sleeping bag. This will be your first skill check of the night.
• You will be given a cursory gear check during your staging time. For your own safety, do NOT take advantage of our leniency as an excuse to skimp on gear. All required gear is still required, even if we can’t do a full gear check.
• Once participants are tucked into their sleep system the wave start time countdown will begin. When the starting bell sounds, pack up your things and hit the trail. Please be expeditious with this as we need to clear the staging area for the next wave.
• The second skill check will be to boil 12 oz. of water at the checkpoint at mile 24. You will set up your stove in the parking lot of the main park office. You must maintain 6 ft of distance from any other participants during this time and continue to wear a face covering.
• There will NOT be a hot breakfast this year. We will have some basic, pre-packaged, food items that you will be given at the end of the race. We will also endeavor to have boiling water available at the finish line, but this will be dependent on weather conditions. You may want to have an extra dehydrated meal available for your finish.
• Once you complete the race you must proceed to your vehicle to rest and eat. There will be no shower facilities available this year.
• If you bring crew, they are allowed to view the start of your wave, but they must then return to their vehicles until you complete the race. Spectators are NOT allowed at the checkpoint this year.
• Because everyone will be spending a lot of time in their running vehicles, please make sure you have a full tank of gas before leaving the closest city (Hinckley or Danbury). You should also make sure you have jumper cables in case a battery dies.

We realize that this is a long list of restrictions, and hopefully we will not need to add to it as we get closer. However, the situation on the ground is very fluid so we will do our best to communicate any changes as quickly as we can.

We also know that many people may not be feeling comfortable with participating due to the expanding number of COVID cases occurring right now. Therefore, we are offering a one time deferment to any participant who would like to put off their race for 1 year. This deferment is only good for the 2022 edition of the race, and if you are unable to join us in 2022, we cannot offer refunds. If you would like to take advantage of this, please reach out to us at stcroixwinterultra “at” gmail.com.

Additionally, if conditions dictate that we must cancel the race we will put our 2021 cancellation policy into effect. That policy is stated on our website, and is as follows:

Cancellation Policy for 2021 edition: If the St Croix 40 Winter Ultra is cancelled due to issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, or if international participants are banned from travel, participants will have two choices. 1) Participants can donate their entry to the race organization and forfeit their entry fee. This helps ensure a sustainable race organization going forward. 2) Participants can defer their entry until 2022 (with no additional charge), guaranteeing a spot in that year’s edition of the race. This deferral is for 1 year only and can not be postponed to future editions of the race.

If a cancellation occurs, participants will be emailed directly to select their choice. As per our stated policy we will not be able to give refunds even in the event of a cancellation.

Thank you for your patience as we work through all of this. We’re hopeful to still be able to create a great event for everyone, and we can’t wait to see you in January.