Well, looks like J&J is unlikely to happen and we signed up for Fargo Marathon last night. I'll copy/paste the update below. Looking at King County, they need to be below 39 daily cases and they are currently over 130 and trending upward. No way they get it under control in a month.
Kind of bummed as this isn't how we obviously planned it, but it is what it is and obviously so many are dealing with so much more so just need to take it in stride (no pun intended). We will hopefully, at least, get to run it next year, but this obviously makes things a bit harder for my wife in trying to qualify both in terms of the change in course and the need to get a faster time with all going on.
Fargo will hopefully be cooler and is at least a flat course. Provided things don't go crazy in ND, we should be good to go in just a little over a month. Now just making all the travel arrangement changes and will see how it goes.
My wife has been on call this past week so, by default, made this her "break" week and is running much less than she had been. And she's going crazy. I'm assuming this is what taper is like and thank God it ends today for her. For my sake, at least. There's zero chance she's going to taper now and will just follow the plan to the end.
Here is the latest! So.. we just got approval from the City of North Bend, King County and Parks and Rec that we can hold a very modified Jack and Jill Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday and Sunday September 5 & 6, 2020. Yes...that is Labor Day weekend. But before you get too excited it is under the contingency that King County is in Phase 3 by race day. Currently, Kittitas County (that belongs to Parks Dept and it's the John Wayne Trail, miles 1 - 21) is currently in phase 3 and has been for ahwile. Our goal is to hope an pray for phase 3 in King County by mid-late August. We will hold out until then. With that said, for all of you who plan to 'wait it out" until Labor Day, we will be mailing your bibs to you by mid August. There will be no EXPO but we will have a "Solutions" location for those who need additional help with lost bibs, etc. We are also on "hold" regarding bus transportation. They may require that we do not use buses. There is a parking lot at the start where you can park for a fee and we will offer a shuttle van back and forth AFTER the race. The best solution is to be dropped off, if you can. Your shirt and swag will be waiting for you at the finish line but your complimentary swag bag for your personal items will be waiting for you at the start and there will be a bag drop. Directions to the start will be provided.
For those of you who have chosen to either defer to 2021 (You can also defer to 2022, 2023 by emailing me) or to transfer to Jack and Jill Idaho, you can make the change on raceroster.com. When you make the change, you will not see an immediate transfer. What will happen after you have make your change/transfer from the registration platform, Race Roster will send an email with a promo code for you to use to register for either Jack and Jill Idaho or next years Jack and Jill WA. These promo code will not be emailed to you until after July 31. Why? Because we want to give everyone the opportunity to have some time to make a decision during these "weird" and constantly changing times. If you want to wait it out a couple more weeks before making a decision, you can. But don't worry...even if you made the change to Idaho and it is capped at 600, you will still get in as long as you make your decision by July 30.
"Can I run Jack & Jill WA virtually?" The answer is yes. The option should be available on race roster. If you choose this option, your swag will be mailed to you.
"What if King County does not enter phase 3 before race day"? We will honor transfers to Idaho, virtual or next year, of course.
Please remember anything that happens in 2020 is never guaranteed under the circumstances we are living in. It is truly the "blind leading the blind".
Your patience and understanding has been reassuring in unassuming times and I want you to know how much I appreciate all of you. No one, not even health and state officials have any idea what is happening. Let's hope this nightmare is over soon and Phase 3 and 4 are on the horizon for Washington. I'm remaining optimistic and I hope you are too. Most importantly ...build your immune system and stay "healthy"
Blessings,
Your Race Director
Lee Ann