The second race of a shortened cross-country series will take place tomorrow at Astwood Park, hosted by DNA Track Club.

Only four races, including the National Championships, will be held this season, which began on September 26.

“We have had to cut down the season to four races including the National Championships,” Donna Raynor, president of the Bermuda National Athletics Association, said yesterday.

“We were very conscious of the event locations and making sure they were being held in open areas [Arboretum, Astwood Park and the Botanical Gardens]. We have been in contact with the Department of National Security and have been given exemption to allow 150 competitors to participate in the cross-country events.

“The BNAA had already created and sent out the Covid-19 cross-country guidelines to all of our affiliates and they were approved.”

Because of the safety concerns of competitors, officials and spectators, guidelines are in place for every event, including the wearing of masts by officials and spectators and social distancing. Registration will be online only, with no registration at the event, and all competitors collecting race numbers must have their temperature checked. They must also have a mast or will be turned away. It is also preferred that everyone bring their own liquids, though some will be provided at the events.

“The first event was hosted by Swan’s Running Club and took place at the Aboretum which was our test run to make sure everything ran smoothly and met the guidelines which everyone adhered to,” Raynor said.

Saturday’s races will start at 8am with the juniors, with each age group being run separately as each race can only have 20 competitors. “If there are less than 20 participants in an age group they will be combined but will never exceed 20,” Raynor said.