Guidance for Race Organisers - Bad Weather Warnings
Dear ROs,
With a shift towards more intense extreme weather events like heavy rain and thunderstorms expected due to climate change and recent significant storms, we thought it would be helpful to pull together some basic considerations to help you decide if your race should go ahead or not.
It is impossible to provide detailed guidance for every set of circumstances and if in doubt please do speak to us if you are in doubt.
Regardless of weather we suggest you develop a cancellation plan at the outset of your race organisation so you are clear who needs to do what and how you will communicate it in the event of having to cancel. This should include consideration of refunds. You can then include this in any race information in advance so competitors are aware of what to expect.
How do weather warnings work?
Weather warnings are given a colour (yellow, amber or red) depending on a combination of both the impact the weather may have and the likelihood of those impacts occurring.
Yellow warning: yellow warnings can be issued when it is likely that the weather will cause some low-level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places. Many people may be able to continue with their daily routine, but there will be some that will be directly impacted and so it is important to assess if you could be affected.
Amber warning: there is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans. This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures and the potential risk to life.
Red warning: dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, you should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.
Generally speaking it should be fine to proceed with caution with a yellow warning, amber it is likely you will have to significantly change or cancel your plans and red you should not go ahead.
SHR race insurance
There is nothing specific regarding weather conditions in the Liability section of our insurance policy. The Insurer would expect each race to be risk assessed and for that assessment to consider what to do in the event of adverse weather. That could be changing the route, advising on what clothing to wear or cancelling the race in the event that conditions were deemed to be dangerous.
Local or national
Weather warnings tend to cover local areas, however you also need to consider where people may be travelling from, especially if it is a popular race attracting runners from across the country, including championship races. If this is the case you need to look at weather warnings from across the country.
Who else should you speak to?
- The landowner will be able to advise on risks such as tree fall or route issues which may be impacted by adverse weather
- Local police who may be able to offer additional intelligence or advice in order to assess risk
- SHR Race Insurance contact
- Local Mountain Rescue contact