The Shepparton Runners Club have been faced with one of the most difficult decisions in the
history of our event. It is with deep sadness that due to COVID-19, we announce the cancellation
of the Shepparton Running Festival, scheduled to be held on 22 & 23 August 2020.
We know that this news is an enormous disappointment, not only to our participants, but also to
our stakeholders, partners and our volunteers. We know many of you have grown to know and
love this event, because many of you return year after year and we thank you for your support.
The process we went through to make this decision meant that we looked at several scenarios.
We examined the information from the Victorian State Government that we have now and
together with Greater Shepparton City Council we tried to predict what Covid-19 restrictions
would look like in late August and then there’s the scenario of a second wave and restrictions
staying tight.
We considered control measures such as a reshaped start, finish line and course. Spreading races
over two days and even what our aid stations would look like. What we do know is information
and predictions will keep changing as there are still so many unknowns until we are clearly on the
other side of this pandemic.
We had to consider our financial situation and that of our sponsors. The risk to our local
community and if they are ready to receive visitors and the liability of a COVID-19 outbreak. We
know we have a responsibility to reactivate our economy, however August was approaching fast.
Above all, we have a responsibility to you, our runners and next week we will be sending all
current entrants an email asking if you prefer a full refund (less credit card and registration fees) or
a rollover to 2021.
We would like to thank all those who messaged us and got in touch to tell us how keen you were
for our event to go ahead.
We know this news is disappointing.
We now look towards 2021 when
we will have a new AIMS certified course and we make sure there is enough room for everyone.
Yours sincerely,
Mathieu Ryan
Committee President
Shepparton Runners Club
