The DONNA Foundation announced today its safety plan for THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K presented by Nimnicht Family of Dealerships, to take place on October 2, 2021, at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. The plan presents a series of strategies to create a safe environment for participants to race in person, as well as options for virtual engagement. 

Celebrating its 15th run in partnership with THE PLAYERS Championship, THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K is the first event in the DONNA 2021-2022 Fearless Series — as well as the Foundation’s first in-person race since February 2020. “While coming together to finish breast cancer is vital to the mission of The DONNA Foundation, the health and well-being of patients, race participants, survivors and their supporters is our top priority. Whether it be in-person or virtually, it is important for all of us to do our part to protect ourselves and those around us,” said Amanda Napolitano, Executive Director of The DONNA Foundation. “We have created a dynamic safety plan that is designed to create the safest possible environment for our in-person race participants.”  

The safety plan outlines protocols with an emphasis on minimizing crowds, mask wearing, sanitization and social distancing for the duration of the event. Specific policies include:

The mask policy requires all attendees — including volunteers, sponsors, vendors and race participants — to wear masks while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are highly recommended for all while outdoors, but not required for participants while running. Masks will be available on-site.

The DONNA Foundation has adapted the event to minimize opportunities for gathering in support of social distancing. All participants will need to register in advance; in-person or walk-up race day registration will not be available. Pre-race packet pickup from The DONNA Foundation headquarters is highly encouraged, starting on Thursday, September 30; post-race packet pickups may be scheduled between October 4 and October 29 or mailed for a fee. Wave starts will be staggered to reduce the number of participants in one area at any given time. In lieu of water stations on the course, bottles of water will be distributed in the start/finish line area. There will be no on-site award ceremony. Results will be posted online, and awards will be available for pick-up on-site and from DONNA Headquarters located at 11762 Marco Beach Drive Suite 6, Jacksonville, FL 32224.

Sanitization and handwashing stations will be available at multiple locations. Individually packaged to-go snacks will be provided in the finish line area. All DONNA Foundation staff, volunteers, sponsors and vendors who are distributing material will be required to wear gloves.

Individual health monitoring policies are in place. All participants are expected to follow federal and state travel guidelines, including any and all pre-travel testing requirements and quarantine requirements that are in place at the time of THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K. In-person participants are asked to check their temperature before arrival to confirm they do not have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or more, and to stay home if they are feeling ill or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. Participants may transfer to in-person or virtual participation through September 30 online, and through DONNA Runner Support through Sunday, October 3 at 11:59 p.m.

The DONNA Foundation will continue to follow the recommendations of the scientific community and all developments related to COVID-19 and will modify the event plan as necessary.