SAN LUIS OBISPO — County of San Luis Obispo Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein has advised the Spartan organization to postpone the Spartan obstacle course and trail running events scheduled for March 13-15 in Santa Margarita.  As a result, event organizers have postponed the event to a date to be announced later this week. 

Nearly 7,000 participants from 11 countries had registered for the event, including participants from U.S. cities with local transmission of COVID-19 and several countries currently subject to CDC travel advisories. The decision comes as cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in California.

“It is important to cancel this event to protect the health of the participants and, ultimately, the health of our entire community,” said Dr. Borenstein. “This is an event that by its nature includes close physical contact. With attendees planning to participate from across California and across the world, we need to take a proactive approach to prevent the spread of illness.”

The Public Health Department is closely monitoring events scheduled in SLO County and Dr. Borenstein is providing guidance on a case by case basis.

For organizers of events in SLO County: The Public Health Department recommends that event organizers create an emergency contingency plan for how to modify, cancel, or postpone large events if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in the community. Event organizers should refer to the Mass Gatherings Guidance on Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 from the California Department of Public Health.

For Spartan event participants: Visit https://www.spartan.com/en/race/detail/6085/overview for information from event organizers. 

For updates on COVID-19 in SLO County: Visit ReadySLO.org or call the Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903.