I think if they can find a workable system for keeping the parks open, they will have the race weekend. I think there are a number of precautions that may be explored or implemented to help with maintaining as much social distance as possible. Some of the things that I think could be on the table include:
Expo
- The outside vendor portion of the Expo may be cut in size or eliminated to avoid crowding
- Resort delivery of bibs and race packets could be an option to reduce Expo foot traffic.
- RunDisney merchandise could be distributed to resort and park gift shops to cut down on traffic to WWoS. Maybe a large tent in the finishing area for naturally staggered shopping post-race
Race Day
- Buses likely to run at partial capacity to allow distancing
- Access to buses prior to race start could be limited to runners to cut down on bodies in the staging area. Spectators allowed to ride after race start time.
- Buses may begin to run earlier and, at an extreme, corrals could be given time windows to be on the buses to spread out traffic to the staging area and corrals
- Security check likely to incorporate temperature screening for fevers
- It would not surprise me if they shifted W&D to the MW courses to both cut down on transportation requirements and put runners on a course with a higher capacity
- More large size corrals with fewer runners to allow for distancing in them. Release times between corrals likely to be lengthened to allow runners to spread out on course more quickly.
- Masks almost certain to be required on pre-race transportation, staging area and corrals. Optional once on course.
- Carrying your own hydration encouraged. Bottles of water rather than cups at hydration stations. Maybe even the alginate water “balloons”
- Character stops PhotoPass only with a demarcation line for the runner to stand on with the characters a safe distance behind.
- Medals either handed out at arms length across finish chute fencing or picked up “self service” from a table with some oversight of 1/runner
- Runners encouraged to leave finishing area for resorts as quickly as possible.
I‘m sure there are some aspects I’ve missed, but these are some precautions that I think are either likely or could be taken to help ensure as safe a race environment as possible.