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The first round of Buck Fifty runners left the starting line at Ohio University Chillicothe Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. Raising close to $250,000 this year, the Buck Fifty is an annual race that started three years ago when those in the community wanted to try and raise funds to try and battle the local drug epidemic.(Photo: Robert McGraw/Gazette)

CHILLICOTHE While The Buck Fifty marathon was originally scheduled to take place in April, the event organizers have solidified plans to make the race happen this July.

Since the beginning of June, The Buck Fifty organizers and the Ross County Health District have been working together to develop an idea of how to safely allow the event to happen. Recently, a written plan for the event was submitted and approved. Now, race day is set to take place on July 24.

"We are a determined group of people who represent a lot of facets in this world that are doing great things," said Race Director Dave Huggins. "We have a runner base that is working to live a healthy lifestyle.We have a group of volunteers who care about their community and want to show the best of what Ross County is."

As The Buck Fifty was originally scheduled to take place on April 17, Huggins and the race team have been working diligently to re-organize the event within guidelines and restrictions established because of COVID-19.

In the past, the race would begin at Ohio University Chillicothe where participants would take off at the same time. They then compete in various teams while running 152 miles across Ross County.

Due to OUC still being closed, the start and finish line for The Buck Fifty has been moved to the First Presbyterian Church in Chillicothe. Over the years, Huggins says the church has been a big supporter of the race.

Just like the past three years,the race will continue to have staggered starting times because some teams are faster than others. The first teams go off at 1 p.m. on Friday and at 7 p.m. the last group leaves.

And because each team starts with one runner representing their teams in groups of four to seven, Huggins believes it will be easy for them to stay spaced out. There are 70 runners on the course at one time and they are stretched out over a 40-mile period during the event. Additionally, race administration is recommending that all runners and volunteers wear masks when participating in the event.

This year, teams have the option to compete in a virtual race if they are unable or do not feel comfortable attending race day. This means that runners can run anywhere, at any time. Once a team completes their total mileage, they must record their times and submit them by July 25.

Kiwanis President Laura Allen and other volunteers wait for the first leg of runners for the Buck Fifty race in 2018.(Photo: Robert McGraw/Gazette)

The virtual race was offered because some teams may have higher risk runners or runners who were unable to travel to Chillicothe due to the change of date. This year,The Buck Fifty has 106 teams participating in the race this year. 36 of them are competing in the event virtually and 70 teams will be there in person on race day.

"I am a person who always believes in finding the best in anything and I do understand that it takes a lot of work to assemble a team of 10 runners and two drivers to complete our two-day event," Huggins said.

For runners used to completing the race in April rather than the July heat, Huggins says that individuals should never compete in The Buck Fifty if they are not well trained and healthy. Staying well hydrated will be very important and water will be provided at each checkpoint.

Once again, The Buck Fifty has been able to raise around $150,000 to support 2,000 M.A.D.E. and Drug-Free Clubs of America. Huggins says that based on statistics from the Department of Health and Human Services this will save the community around $2 million each year.

"We are still a very young non-profit organization, but I believe the efforts of so many are building a strong foundation for the future," he said.

Have a story tip or comment?Contact Toria at tbarnhart@gannett.com or 740-349-1106. Follow her on Twitter @ToriaBarnhart.

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The Buck Fifty solidifies plans to have race amid COVID-19 - Chillicothe Gazette