Weather/Medical Policies

Adverse Weather Policies

THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS
The Fifth Third River Bank Run and/or Fifth Third Junior will be canceled or delayed if any of the following weather conditions exist: Tornado Warning, Tornado Watch, Thunderstorm, "Heavy" Rain

START OF THE RACE
The start of any of the events can be delayed one hour from the posted start time if any of the above mentioned conditions exist.

CANCELLATION OF THE RACE
The events will be canceled if one of the following weather conditions exist: Tornado Warning, Thunderstorm

AUTHORITY TO CANCEL THE RACE
The Race Director, in accordance with management executives of Fifth Third Bank and local law enforcement, has the authority to cancel any of the events. If threatening weather conditions force cancellation of the event, no refunds can be provided, since funds were already spent in preparation for Race Day. T-shirts will be distributed.

BROADCAST OF CANCELLATION
NEWSRADIO WOOD 1300 AM & 106.9 FM, WOTV4WOMEN and the event emcees will communicate any delay and/or cancellation of Fifth Third Junior, on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 in Wyoming. NEWSRADIO WOOD 1300 AM & 106.9 FM, WOTV4WOMEN and the Kent County Amateur Radio Emergency Service will communicate the delay and/or cancellation for the Fifth Third River Bank Run on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Ground Zero is located at the medical tent in the finish area and will be utilized to communicate the decision.

Refer to the Event Alert System for additional details.

Medical Policies

If medical attention is required on the race course or at the finish line, medical staff is available to treat minor injuries and provide basic support. Insurance liabilities mandate that should a participant require and consent to an IV for fluid replacement or treatment of serious injuries, they must be transported to a local hospital at their own expense. Therefore, we urge you to abide by the following guidelines to prevent the need for such treatment.

Medical Instructions for Participants

ATTENTION PARTICIPANTS: In an effort to make the Fifth Third River Bank Run safe and enjoyable, the Race Officials request that you please read the following medical guidelines carefully. It is important that participants attempting to participate in a run of this distance be adequately prepared. Entrants who have not prepared themselves with proper training should not attempt this course.

PREVENTION OF PHYSICAL PROBLEMS: Avoid exercising to exhaustion within the week preceding the race. Remember, you will be participating on yesterday's meals. Avoid fatty foods on race day. Athletes are encouraged to consume carbohydrates for 3-4 days prior to completion of the race.

Pre-run warm-up should be followed by stretching exercises of the calf, hamstring, quadriceps, groin and trunk muscles. If you begin to feel muscle tightness or cramps during the race, stop and stretch.

Blisters can be prevented by wearing well fitted, broken-in shoes and soft light-weight socks. Remove pebbles immediately. Toenails should be trimmed. If you feel a hot spot developing, stop at an Aid Station for care.

Chafing occurs where clothing rubs against the skin. Chafing can be prevented by wearing loose-fitting clothing and applying petroleum jelly (available at a pre-event Aid Station on Monroe Avenue north of the starting line) or apply protective bandaging to susceptible areas such as nipples, armpits, neckline, groin and feet.

You will be one of many runners/walkers, so run/walk defensively. Watch out for other participants and yield if necessary.

PACE YOURSELF. Don't burn yourself out by starting too quickly. Common sense is the key.

FLUID REPLACEMENT: Maintenance of adequate hydration is the most important preventive measure. If you become thirsty, you are behind in fluids. When the weather heats up, we often suggest drinking more water. However, when exercising in hot weather consider the following: Don't over-drink. In longer walks/runs, a lot of sweat is lost. Sweat contains both water and electrolytes. Both need to be replaced to avoid medical complications. If this is done solely with weather, an imbalance may occur - too much water, not enough sodium. To avoid this problem, we suggest the following:

• Drink 16 oz of fluid 1-2 hours prior to starting the race.
• Drink another 8-16 oz ½ hour prior to the race
• During the race, drink no more than 3-6 oz per mile (3 oz if you weigh about 100 lbs or 6 oz if you weigh about 200 lbs).
• Adjust the rate of fluid intake to race pace: slower race pace=slower drinking rate (8 min pace: 10-12 oz/20 min) (9-10 min pace: 8 oz/20 min) (over 10 min pace: 4-6 oz/20 min).
• Aid Stations may be closer together than this - you do not have to drink at each one.
• Consider using a sports drink (such as Gatorade) to replenish fluid - it has electrolytes already mixed in.
• Water will be available at the race prior to the start at pre-race Aid Stations on Monroe Avenue north of the starting line.
• Water is provided at every Aid Station, with Ice and Gatorade at Aid Stations located at 3 miles, 4.5, miles, 6 miles, 7.5 miles, 9.0 miles, 10.5 miles, 12 miles, 13.5 miles and 14.5 miles.
• Gatorade and water will be in the finish area.
• Be Cautious about taking anti-inflammatories/NSAIDS (Motrin, Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve) 24 hours prior to a race. During exercise, the kidneys play a key role in regulating electrolytes to prevent dehydration. NSAIDS affect the kidneys ability to regulate these electrolytes & can cause other medical problems. Taking Tylenol is okay.

The Information Booth (located at Calder Plaza) can contact the Medical Area (located at Lyon/Ottawa) for the whereabouts of any participants that have dropped out or have been transported to a hospital. PLEASE INFORM FAMILY OR FRIENDS OF YOUR PARTICIPANT NUMBER AS THIS WILL ASSIST IN LOCATING THE WHEREABOUTS OF ANY DROP-OUTS.