Step Three: Understand Our Race Day Communications, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness Plans

Be Ready to Call the Command Center: (770) 329-8818

The Classic City Marathon uses one central Command Center to facilitate communications across all workers and volunteers on race day.

• The Command Center is for all non-emergency race-related needs. We will also use the Command Center to help with any emergencies, after those emergencies have already been reported to 911.

• The Command Center will be staffed from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM on Saturday, January 24. They are physically located in the main hallway outside of Grand Ballroom 8 at the Classic Center, but you will reach them by phone.

• Volunteer ham radio operators from the Athens Radio Club will be positioned along the course, and many volunteer area leads will have walkie talkies. These people can also communicate with the Command Center using their radios or walkie talkies.

You will call the Command Center Contact, Steve Follin (770-329-8818), if you need any non-emergency race-related supplies, information, assistance, or coordination, any time between 6:30 AM and 2:30 PM on Saturday. You will also call the Command Center after you have called 911, if any emergency or potential emergency does occur.

Here are some examples of when to call the Command Center.

• Call the Command Center if you need anything related to your task, such as if your water stop is running low on Powerade powder.

• Call the Command Center if you need information, such as if you are a course monitor and the directional signs for runners are unclear.

• Call the Command Center if you are trying to help a runner with a clearly minor medical issue such as a blister and you are not near a Medical Tent.

• Call the Command Center if you are on the course and you are worried about any racer who passes your location. If someone looks exceptionally tired, is obviously limping, or otherwise might be getting into trouble, let the Command Center know where you are and what runner you are concerned about. Our medical team and people at later spots along the race course can be watching for that person in case things get worse.

The Command Center is not our primary emergency reporting system. If you become aware of any emergency situation that is not being addressed, or if you are unsure about the severity of any medical or other safety issue, call 911 first, then call the Command Center.

Be Ready to Work with Safety Professionals.

Athens-Clarke County and University of Georgia police and sheriff’s personnel will be positioned throughout the downtown Athens area and along the entire race course. These professionals have substantial experience managing crowds in Athens for large sporting events, entertainment events, and outdoor festivals. Their goal is to ensure that all participants and all spectators can enjoy the entire event safely. Please watch for them, trust them, and seek them out if you need help.

• Obey all instructions from Athens-Clarke County police and sheriff’s officers, University of Georgia police officers, and race organizers, even if their instructions differ from your original volunteer task.

• In the event of an emergency, the safety professionals might ask you to help in different ways. Again, follow their instructions, even if their instructions differ from your original volunteer task.

Be Ready for Medical Emergencies.

Physicians, EMTs, athletic trainers, medical students, and other healthcare providers will be available at medical tents throughout the course. All healthcare personnel have received specialized training about the needs of distance runners and about the safety of all persons outdoors in winter weather.

Please memorize the locations of all medical tents before race day. All runners and spectators are safer if all volunteers know where all medical tents are.

If you become aware of any medical emergency on race day, call 911.

• If you need other medical information or assistance for a runner near you, call the Command Center (770-329-8818).

• You might also call our Lead Medical Co-Director Dr. Joe Colasurdo (585-857-3735) or Race Director Carole Black (706-540-0949).

Be Ready to Help Around Coned-Off Areas and Race Fencing. 

All runners and spectators will be required to honor all barriers and coned-off areas. As a volunteer, you might be working behind barriers or moving back and forth between public and private areas. Be ready to tell people no. Do not allow runners or spectators to follow you to private or coned-off areas. 

Understand the Flag System

To ensure the safety and well-being of both participants and spectators during the marathon, the Classic City Marathon uses a standard race flag system. Watch for physical flags near the Starting Line, at the Relay Exchange Zones, and at the Finish Line, and listen for flag-system announcements from security and safety personnel. The most likely use of the flag system during a race would be if weather conditions get worse during the day, but it could also be important in the event of any other kind of largescale problem.

• If No Flag is flying, or if no other announcement has been made, conditions are All Clear. The race can proceed normally. 

• The Yellow Flag calls for Caution. Less-than-ideal conditions might require runners’ or spectators’ awareness, attention, or preparation.

  • All volunteers should attempt to help runners and spectators understand the situation, during Yellow Flag conditions.

• The Red Flag signals Dangerous Conditions. Runners should slow down and be extra cautious, or consider whether their own individual needs might lead them to leave the race. Spectators who choose to stay during Red Flag conditions should be ready to help runners and anyone else who may need assistance.

  • We ask all volunteers to stay and help during Red Flag conditions, but you will also need to be aware of your own limitations. If you need to leave during Red Flag conditions, do your best to communicate with other volunteers or a leader for your area.

• The Black Flag indicates that the race has been Stopped because of extreme and unsafe conditions, necessitating immediate action from everyone involved.

  • We will expect all volunteers to attempt to help other people, to the best of your ability, if you are at the race during Black Flag conditions.

Thank you!

Your volunteer time will almost certainly be purely happy, healthy, joyful, and safe, but you are also part of our behind-the-scenes safety network for runners and spectators. We appreciate your readiness to help!