WILDFLOWER RUN/WALK IS BACK WITH A FEW CHANGES

Runners can celebrate Texas Wildflower Day in the Hill Country by competing in the 27th Annual Fredericksburg Wildflower Run/Walk on April 24.

After the cancellation of last year’s annual run/ walk due to the COVID-19 city moratorium that limited gatherings, organizers said safety is their No. 1 concern for this year’s race.

The route will be the same as in years past but protocols before, during and after the race will change.

Competitors will follow a scenic course in and around Fredericksburg that begins and ends downtown at Marktplatz. There will be parking, restrooms and registration available on race day.

There will be a 5K and 10K run and 5K walk this year.

RACE START

A pre-warm up stretch led by HCM Wellness Center professionals will begin at 7:30 a.m. near the race starting line. All racers are required to wear a mask until start time.

Thirty-five staging corrals large enough to accommodate 10 runners will be marked at 20foot intervals near the start line, with six feet of separation between them.

Runners will be dispatched in groups of 10. The staggered start time will begin at 8 a.m. starting every minute until all participants are on the course.

Runners will be given a start signal to proceed, then the next corral of 10 runners will be allowed into the start chute, which will continue until all runners are on the course.

The 10K racers will line up first, followed by the 5K runners and 5K walkers. Chip timing will be provided by the Athlete Guild.

RACE FINISH

At the finish line, participants will be guided toward the exit of the finish area to pick up a water bottle and face mask.

Runners will be required to leave the finish area and proceed to the vehicle or home as soon as they complete the race.

There will be no finish line celebration or awards ceremony.

AWARDS

Wildflower Run can be a challenge for the whole family.

— Standard-Radio Post file photo

Awards will be available for pickup at 1006 Texas 16 South at 11:30 a.m. on race day.

First-, second- and third-place awards will be presented to 5K and 10K runners in the male and female age division categories.

Recognition also will go to the overall first-place male and female runners in both the 5K and 10K runs.

Age divisions are 1-12, 13-14, 15-21, 22-29, 30-35, 36-41, 42-47, 48-53, 54-59, 60-65, 66-69, 70-75, 76-79 and 80+.

To be eligible for awards, runners must wear a timing chip. Electronic chip timing will be provided by Athlete Guild of New Braunfels.

Final results will be posted on the HCM Wellness Center Facebook page following the race.

There will be no race day registration. Online pre-registration is $35 per walker or runner due by April 21. Late online registration will be $40 beginning April 22 until 4 p.m. April 23.

Children who register for the run or walk will be entered into the prize drawing.

PACKET PICKUP

There will be two opportunities to get the official race T-shirt and bib number before the race.

Runners take off for the Wildflower Run 5K/10K in 2015. This year’s race, set for April 24, starting at Marktzplatz, will look a little different due to COVID-19 protocols for social distancing. — Standard-Radio Post file photo