Dear Runners,
As we learn to adapt with the challenges presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are all confronted with difficult decisions on a daily basis. In an effort to support the health and safety of our community, we have decided to shift the 2020 Platte River Half Marathon & Buckhorn Exchange Relay to a solely virtual race.
In its 17th year, the Platte River Half Marathon & Buckhorn Exchange Relay has always depended on community support and sponsorships. Those great relationships are what makes this decision even more difficult.
As fellow runners, we understand your disappointment and we empathize with your frustrations. You’ve trained hard over the past few months and we want your training to be worth it! We can still run – just not close to each other in large groups.
We deeply regret not being able to have the 17th annual Platte River Half Marathon & Buckhorn Exchange Relay in person, but we’re here to offer creative, alternative options for each and every runner. Since the in-person event scheduled for April 5, 2020 has been canceled, each participant will be given a choice of four options listed below. We know there are many pressing issues right now and we want you to rest assured that we tried to have your best interest in mind.
Each person’s situation is different, so we tried to think of options that would appeal to most runners while still enabling the race to support our charitable partners in future years. We also understand the uncertainty of the impacts of this virus, so we tried to be as accommodating as possible. Please carefully read the following four options:
YOU MAY CHOOSE ONE OF THE OPTIONS LISTED BELOW:
OPTION 1**: Virtual Race
Want to put all that hard training towards a race, with a bonus of saving money for 2021?!? Transfer to the Virtual Race – the transfer is FREE! You’ll receive all of the race swag that you would normally get: shirt, medal, bib, finisher’s cup, and koozie. The Virtual Race is to be run on your own – your choice of time, place, and date. The Virtual Race must be completed and submitted by Sunday, April 12, 2020. Entries received after that date will not be accepted. Once you’ve run the 13.1 miles, all you need to do is submit your run time via this link:
Then send proof of your time (Strava, Garmin data, photo of your GPS, etc.) to [email protected]. Your results will be posted to the official Platte River Half Marathon website.
In order to get your race swag, you can pick everything up at the Runners Roost Denver location or you can have it mailed to you (make sure your address and contact info are up to date in our system). All swag can be picked up at Runners Roost from April 13th to April 30th.
As an added bonus, you’ll get $20 off your 2021 registration! After we accept your results, we’ll send you an email with a special $20 discount code to be used for the 2021 Platte River Half registration during the month of May (2020). We’ll open up registration for all of May and give you the best price possible for the 2021 race!
OPTION 2: 2021 Deferment
If you’d like to run the race in 2021 (Tentatively planned for 4/11/2021), you can defer your 2020 registration at no cost and then you’ll be signed up for the 2021 race. However, with this option, you will not receive any 2020 race swag. That includes the medal, bib, shirt, finisher’s cup, and koozie.
OPTION 3***: Have a portion of your 2020 registration donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Ready to make a difference for our primary charity beneficiary?! Then apply $35 of your 2020 registration fee to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). $35 of the registration you’ve already paid will be donated directly to LLS.
OPTION 4: Partial Refund
Get a partial refund. Most races, including Platte River Half Marathon & Buckhorn Exchange Relay, have a strict no-refund policy (see the waiver you signed when you registered). Given the circumstances and the impact of the coronavirus, we are making a one-time exception to give each registrant a $30 refund. If you choose this option and registered in the last 90 days, you’ll see a credit to your method of payment. If you registered more than 90 days ago, you’ll receive a check.
Please note that before choosing this option, all refunds will have an impact on the long-term viability of the race. We are no different than other races; expenses have already been paid and this will impact the future of the race. But we felt it’s best for the community to offer something to those that might need it during this uncertain time. We appreciate your consideration.
To select your option, please log in to our registration provider’s website here:
https://www.simpleracereg2.com/dashboard
If you did not create an account during registration, you will need to enter your e-mail and click on the “No Password?” button to get a link sent to your e-mail for setting up an account.
Once logged in, find the event “2020 Platte River Half Marathon” and click on the pencil icon in the Edit column on the right side (If you don’t see your registration, following the instructions on the bottom of the page).
Scroll down the page and answer the new question “Select race cancellation option“. Once you have made your selection you can then click the blue “Submit” button at the bottom of the page to save your changes.
Note that you will not receive an additional confirmation e-mail, but can verify your choice by logging in to the dashboard again. For any technical or process issues, please reach out to [email protected].
* If you do not select an option by March 25, 2020, you acknowledge the no-refund policy applies to your 2020 registration and you waive all rights to any and all options 1-4 outlined above.
** Virtual Race results cannot be used as a qualifying time for any other race. Virtual Race results are not officially sanctioned by any athletic or running governing body.
*** Platte River Half Marathon & Buckhorn Exchange Relay will not issue a charitable receipt for any donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Please consult with your tax accountant if you have questions.
**** Options 3 & 4 do not apply if you received a complimentary entry.
The only exceptions to the 2020 registration waiver are outlined in this email. All other terms and conditions in the waiver remain in effect and no further or future exceptions will apply.
REGISTRATION INSURANCE:
During your registration process, you had an option to purchase or decline registration insurance. The registration insurance that was offered is from an independent company and that company is in no way affiliated with the Platte River Half Marathon. The terms & conditions of the insurance are completely separate and unrelated to the Platte River Half Marathon. Any questions about how the insurance works and what is covered need to be directed to [email protected].
If you are or were previously able to use your 2020 registration insurance you are not eligible to select any of the options 1-4, outlined above.
PLA Events