The world received encouraging news when Pfizer and BioNTech announced early results of 90%+ effectiveness on their vaccine trials:
Vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants without evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first interim efficacy analysisPfizer Press Release
There is obviously still a long way to go, with many other vaccine candidates in large trials, the challenges of distribution, and the likely debates over which one to take (if taking one at all) across our diverse population. And we still stick by our earlier projections of getting back to something more fully normal in 2022, but we are hopeful for expanded live events in 2021.
For the endurance and nonprofit community, this gives even more weight to the plan for Hybrid Events that we have been encouraging for 2021. This means offering your participants both a virtual and a live event with the ability to switch between them – giving your participants to chance to decide for themselves if they are comfortable yet with live events to attend in person.
We have already seen many communities accept modified live events with the Richmond Marathon and the Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash both holding events with over 5,000 participants in November, 2020. And there were 95 races with over 100 participants that happened this past weekend (Nov. 6-8) that used the RunSignup platform.
With the possibility of a vaccine, and the proven ability to hold live events, races should be planning a hybrid event in 2021. This provides events and nonprofits and countless communities with the joy of live events and races.