Summer sporting events prep for comeback

Events like the Oregon Gran Fondo will look a bit different this year.

Extra protocols are being taken to assure competitor safety.

Haubner...kezi 9 sports.

And while officials are scaling down college football, organizers in lane county are preparing to bring back other sporting events.

Kezi 9 news reporter julian mininsohn talked with organizers to see if they're concerned about keeping competitors safe enough to pass the finish line.

We don't know what autzen stadium will look like this fall.

As for summer sports in lane county -- the oregon gran fonda will go as planned.

Except... (mike ripley) "spectators are extremely discouraged."

Mike ripley organizes the annual cycling race in cottage grove.

Putting on this year's event took a bit more brain power.

How can cyclists race one another and still be socially distant?

(mike ripley) "two and a half bike links.

That's how close you should be to somebody.

We're going to be doing a self-start.

We have a three-hour time window to start everybody.

Everybody is not going to arrive at the same time.

That's important for safety."

Ripley also said that check in and aid stations will be treated like public indoor spaces.

Masks required.

As for riders out on the course... (mike) "a lot of rimes riders will have a gator around their neck or a buff.

If they want to pull it up that's an easy way to mitigate something and feel comfortable.

If you want to pass people just call it out and make the pass when it's safe and keep on peddling."

Aside from the eugene gran fondo, the scandia run in junction city will have race members run in 10- minute waves to limit crowds while oregon triple summit challenge in oakridge has limited its race to 60 runners.

(mike) "if there is a way to do something in a safe a mitigated way and you can educae and be transparent about it there's always a possibility of doing something positive for the community.

The oregon gran fondo is scheduled for july 25th in cottgae grove.

Reporting in springfield -- julian