It is almost here! The Lincoln Mile, brought to you by the Lincoln Track Club and the Lincoln Running Company, is this Sunday, Aug. 9. Here are all the details you need to help us make this a smooth-running event (get it?!) There are a lot of details here. Please don’t blame us. It’s COVID’s fault. But these details are key to a successful event and more future opportunities to run together! So, read on and get ready for a Mile that is still fast and still fun! PACKET PICKUP & HEAT/WAVE INFOPacket pickup will be outside at Tower Square, which is at the corner of 13th & P St. You must come at your reserved time (which you selected during registration) and you must wear a mask. If you do not have an assigned packet pickup time, please email lincolnrunning@windstream.net to receive a time. Packet pickup times are available between 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Sunday packet pickup is reserved for out-of-town participants only, and for those participants, it will be located outside the Lincoln Running Company from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. Your packet will include a map of the course, including the new COVID-related start and finish line configuration that takes your health and safety into consideration. Please take a look at it so you know what to expect on race morning. Also, please remember to bring your race packet with you Sunday morning. You MUST have your bib to race.View the Course MapView the Start/Finish LineView the HeatsFor adult runners who also have young children running, you will be able to run your race, then remove your bib and run with your child in their heat. Parents who are not registered to run, but want to run with their young child, are allowed to do so. In these cases, please plan to line up near the back of the starting chute. RACE MORNING - PRERACE THINGS TO KNOWPlease keep in mind the Health Department is asking you to arrive just before your start time and that your spectators be limited only to immediate family.The start and finish lines will be located on 12th Street near the corner with Q Street. Q Street will be closed between 12th Street and 13th Street to give you enough room to social distance. There will be a long, fenced lead-in chute in this area that will take you to the starting line. It will have six-foot social distance prompts marked on the ground. Masks are required in this area up until you begin your race. You will be expected to carry your mask while you run as it needs to go back on right after you are done running.There will be porta potties available as no businesses will have public restrooms, including the Lincoln Running Company and Brueggers. There will be no water provided ahead of the race so please plan accordingly. DURING THE RACE - THINGS TO KNOWPlease remind your spectators that there will be no area to stand near the finish line. (This is a Health Department request to limit crowding.)There are, however, many beautiful locations to watch the race on the course and maintain social distancing. With heats going on every few minutes, there will be plenty of action to enjoy.We will be using Facebook Live at the finish line, so this is one way for spectators to view the finish without being right there. Visit the Lincoln Track Club Facebook page for this option. POST RACE - THINGS TO KNOWYou will be asked to put your mask back on once you are done running.There will be water and Juice Stop refreshments just outside of the finish area. Take one of each - you deserve it! But then, move along as we need to prevent crowding as much as possible. We encourage you to either go find a spot on the course to cheer on the other waves of runners or head home to get a good stretch in and celebrate your accomplishment.While we won’t be posting results on site, like we normally do, please know we will make them available as soon as possible after each heat. Go to http://onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=23502 to view results. All awards will be based off net time, meaning the time from the start mats to the finish mats, so please understand that your placement in your heat does not determine your final standing in your overall race group. We will be mailing awards this year.Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these changes to bring you a quality event that considers the safety and health of everyone involved. Please help us make this a successful celebration of healthy lifestyles and fun competition! We look forward to seeing you this Sunday in beautiful downtown Lincoln for the 2020 Lincoln Mile!