Policies

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality Cancellation Policy

The safety of runners and volunteers is our highest priority. Poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke may pose serious health risks.

The Handloggers Half Marathon reserves the right to delay, modify, shorten, or cancel the race if environmental conditions - including wildfire smoke and air quality - are deemed unsafe.

Air Quality Monitoring

Air quality will be monitored using the Government of British Columbia Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) from the closest reliable monitoring station.

As a general guideline:

  • AQHI 1–6: Race proceeds as planned.

  • AQHI 7–8: We may modify the course, shorten the race, delay the start, or implement additional safety measures.  Provide warning to competitors with respiratory issues (e.g., Asthma)

  • AQHI 9–10: The event may be cancelled or postponed due to unsafe conditions.

  • AQI 10+: The event will be cancelled

Final decisions will be made by the Race Director in consultation with current forecasts. Conditions can change quickly, and decisions may occur as late as race morning. Similar AQHI thresholds are used by several Canadian endurance events when assessing smoke risk.

Event Cancellation Due to Wildfire Smoke

If the event must be cancelled due to wildfire smoke, active wildfires, government orders, or other environmental conditions beyond the control of the organizers:

  • Refunds will not be issued.

  • Registered participants will receive a credit equal to their registration fee toward the following year’s event.

  • Credits will be valid only for the next year’s event and are non-transferable and non-redeemable for cash.

Outdoor race events incur significant non-recoverable costs (permits, insurance, medals, timing, supplies, and logistics) well before race day. For this reason, full refunds are not possible.

Communication

If conditions become concerning, updates will be communicated to participants via:

  • Email to registered participants

  • This website

Whenever possible, cancellation decisions will be communicated in advance of race day, but this may not always be possible due to rapidly changing conditions.

We will keep all runners and volunteers informed of our decisions ahead of the race start when the AQHI is forecast to reach 7 or above. 

Participant Choice

Participants who have respiratory conditions or other health concerns are encouraged to make their own decision about participating if air quality conditions are marginal.

Please direct any further questions to handloggershalf@gmail.com