TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Typically, 3,500 runners compete in the cross country championships in Tallahassee. Due to COVID-19, this year it's about a third of that.
Hospitality groups in the Capital City are still doing everything they can to bring people in while keeping you safe from contracting the virus.
Saturday begins round two of the cross country championships, meaning more visitors across Tallahassee.
Candlewood Suites in Tallahassee says the hotel may be located at a hotspot like downtown or College Town but they're still seeing lots of visitors this weekend.
About 20 families are staying there this weekend for the FSU Invitational and Pre-State meet.
The hotel's manager, Ernie Moses says he has hope that more meets mean more business.
"We do quite a bit of sports business so as we move forward to the months and make our way to December there are different meets so we will see a little bit of business out of that," said Moses.
New visitors also mean new precautions with the pandemic.
Sanitizing stations at every entrance, barriers at the front desk, masks on every employee, and room service will wear gloves.
"The key is safe employees, safe guests," Moses said.
Restaurants are prepping too.
"I just saw some LSU people walking around on Capital Circle and hoping to have them come in," said Coosh Willis, the owner of Coosh's Bayou Rouge.
Saturday's race almost didn't happen as there was a coronavirus testing mandate for all participating athletes.
County commissioners voted down the testing mandate on Tuesday, leading to about 150 more high schoolers signing up for the meet.
