In the midst of coronavirus outbreak, Camden’s signature event is going forward
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Update: On Thursday, the Carolina Cup Racing Association decided to cancel the 2020 steeplechase due to concerns about coronavirus.
Camden’s biggest event of the year is going forward, even as the Midlands town is at the epicenter of coronavirus cases in the Palmetto State.
The Carolina Cup, the annual steeplechase horse race in Kershaw County, will go forward as scheduled on March 28. The Carolina Cup Racing Association announced its plans in an Instagram post that led with “THE RACE IS ON.”
“The Carolina Cup Racing Association has been and will continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 outbreak,” the post reads. “We will have enhanced cleaning procedures in place including doubling the amount of hand washing stations, adding hand sanitizing stations throughout the event and adding a mobile cleaning team who will be cleaning hard surfaces throughout the day.”
Kershaw County has had seven of the nine reported cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina so far, starting with a Camden woman in her 80s who was hospitalized last week.
The racing association said it would continue to look for guidance from state and local officials as the virus potentially spreads through the state. Others are taking action to prevent the spread of the disease by curtailing or limiting public gatherings. Columbia City Council voted Tuesday to discourage people from attending its meetings, and allowing for council members to call in. The University of South Carolina also extended its spring break by a week to avoid possible infections.
“If there are changes, we will promptly notify all patrons,” the association wrote. “Please follow our social media accounts for updates on the event.”
The annual event in Camden is considered a bellwether for spring in South Carolina, and an excuse to get dressed up and party outdoors as much as a chance to watch the horses.
The cup can attract up to 70,000 spectators, “a fraction of which is actually interested in watching the races,” Carolina Cup Racing Association CEO Nick Ellis told The State in 2016.
But some officials have encouraged people to practice “social distancing” while the spread of coronavirus remains a concern, staying away from large crowds where the virus can spread more widely.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 1:06 PM.
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