KAFC 2009: Running Event Participant Guidelines

Running Event Participant Guidelines

Æ      The Kazoo Area Foot Chase is patterned as a police foot chase in pursuit of fleeing suspects. 

Æ      Shortly before the start of the race (approximately 9:00 AM), you and fellow participants will witness an incident as it unfolds near the starting line.  During the course of this incident, you will see some “suspects” flee from the scene.  Pay particular attention to what the suspects look like and what they are wearing.

Æ      Later, when you are released to chase them, if you are fast enough to catch up to one of the suspects along the way, and you are the first “officer” to reach him or her within an arm’s length, you may capture the suspect’s blue bandana by simply telling him or her that they are under arrest.  Each suspect has been instructed to hand his or her bandana over to the first person that catches and places him or her “under arrest.”  Please do not attempt to physically apprehend these suspects, or otherwise attempt to restrain them in any way. 

Æ      The suspects will take off in advance of you.  You will see them leave the scene and head off on foot.  Do not start chasing them at that time.  You will be signaled when to run by the sound of multiple gunshots.  Do not start running until you hear the actual gunshots.

Æ      While in pursuit of the suspects, you will encounter “witnesses” along the way.  These witnesses have been strategically placed along the course route.  Each should be wearing a bright colored ID tag bearing the event logo and a large black “W”.  The witnesses will direct you where to go next.  Stay on your course between witnesses.  Do not take a different direction or path than that which a witness directs you toward. 

Æ      As you pass the “witnesses”, you may ask them if they have seen the suspects, and what the suspects were wearing if you wish.  Also, you may ask them if the suspects were armed.

Æ      As with a real chase, you may find “contraband” that has been discarded by the suspects along the way.  If you find and recover contraband, it may be redeemed for a prize at the end of the run.  All event-related contraband will be red in color and marked with the event’s initials: KAFC.  If you think something is contraband but it’s not red or doesn’t bear the event’s initials, than it’s not part of our event, and therefore, you might want to leave it alone.

Æ      As in a real foot chase, fleeing suspects sometimes cross over or run through a variety of obstacles.  If you encounter an obstacle, it is your responsibility to determine the safest way to expediently get past it.  For instance, if the suspects have crossed over a fence, but there is an open gate close by that you can and would rather pass through, feel free to use the opening if you prefer.  It is up to you to pick your lines along the course, and to do so safely.

Æ      Suspects sometimes double back or hide.  Keep your eyes open to your surroundings along the way.  Don’t let a suspect get away by hiding, or surprise you.

Æ      As in a real foot chase, the surfaces that you will pass over will vary, and at times they will be uneven and rough.  Watch your steps carefully.  It is your responsibility to pick your footing safely.

Æ      Efforts will be made to have traffic on major road crossings controlled for this event.  However, there are a number of minor roads, alleys, driveways and many parking lots that the course takes you over, across and through that will be open to traffic.  Please use caution and watch for moving vehicles when crossing over or running along any roadways, parking lots or other vehicular travel-ways.  It is your responsibility to navigate through traffic safely.

Æ      If you need help:  There will be a refreshment stand serving water along the course route.  An aid station will be situated near the refreshment stand should you or anyone else needs assistance.  There will be additional refreshments and an aid station near the finish line as well.  Further, event staff will be patrolling the course on mountain bikes, and police officers will be out and about directing traffic along the way.  Any of these officials can summons assistance for you or anyone else should you need it.  Also, many of the witnesses will have cell phones and can contact event staff directly with information including their location if you need assistance including rides back to the event site.

Æ      It is your sole and ultimate responsibility to watch out for your own safety during the event, and if you see a situation and or condition that presents a risk of injury to yourself, you must avoid the situation and or condition, or immediately withdraw from the race.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you return safely.

Æ      When crossing the finish line, you will be directed along a chute where your final position will be recorded.  It is important that you remain in line in the order in which you crossed the finish line until you are waived out of the chute at the end.  Please stay in line in the order in which you crossed the finish line.

Remember, no matter what you see unfold at the incident that is about to happen in front of you, do not start running until you hear the actual gunshots.

Prizes will be awarded to the fastest 2 runners in each age and gender category.  Prizes will be awarded to the fastest overall male and female runners outside of their age categories.  Additional prizes will be awarded to the first male and female law enforcement professionals and police recruits to cross the finish line.  Finally prizes are awarded for recovering contraband or apprehending a suspect, but only one prize in this special category will be awarded per participant.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of these guidelines, please contact event staff for clarification.  Have a safe, fun and successful run!