Got an email today saying the 2021 Victoria 70.3 Race is cancelled. Ironman provided 9 race deferral options (8 of them in the states) and the only Canadian option being 4,500 kms away in Mont Tremblant. Additionally, there is no race refund option. Wrote an email to Victoria race organizers asking for a refund but not holding my breath.
Feeling pretty low on Ironman right now!
The e-mail sounded to me like they may be scrapping the race forever. Don’t see another reasonable explanation to cancel this early.
Can’t believe Calgary wasn’t a deferral option.
Here’s an opportunity for an independent to come in and offer a covid compliant event. When is Elk Lake warm enough to swim in for the average Canadian triathlete?
That race is a great race. It was an indy race before it was a WTC race. Would love to see it go back to an indy race and be successful.
Id be tempted to come back and race there
I did the same. I live in Oregon, but still, only one of these races are within driving distance (and I’d already been deferred into it when 2020 was cancelled a few weeks ago). They really didn’t provide great options. I know it’s unlikely that we’ll see a refund, but i could sure use that $300 right now!
Really disappointed, though. I was looking forward to this race - it’s such a beautiful area. I hope some RD up there is able to pick it up and make another great race.
That race was on my bucket list. We vacationed on Victoria Island a few years ago, and I really wanted to do this race because everything there is so beautiful. I hope it does not go away like St. Croix. (That one was on my bucket list too. Still is, but December as an indi race is a little tougher for my travel calendar.)
Wondering if there is a way to go back to your credit card company saying you paid for a product that no longer exists?
That race is a great race. It was an indy race before it was a WTC race. Would love to see it go back to an indy race and be successful.
Id be tempted to come back and race there
This. I raced it a couple of times as indy and then about 3 times as IM. Would love to go back to Elk lake and race an indy event there.
Someone asking about water temps. Around 18C in late may early june when the race takes place. Could probably swim it in early May.
Wondering if there is a way to go back to your credit card company saying you paid for a product that no longer exists?
“We are sorry you must initiate a refund within 90 days of purchase.”
Business always wins. Especially banks.
If I am readying this right beginning of May would be the earliest when combining it with air temperatures for a reasonably comfortable bike ride. Could probably run the event until mid to late September as well.
I was swimming in there in late April but I wouldn’t really call it comfortable 
Maybe it’s an opportunity for Dynamics to take over or add a half option to the Elk Lake triathlon
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That would be fantastic.
this sucks
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That race is a great race. It was an indy race before it was a WTC race. Would love to see it go back to an indy race and be successful.
Id be tempted to come back and race there
It was essentially the same race when Lance Watson and Lifesport ran it. It didn’t have the IRonman hype and I found it more fun.
There are still plenty of people who would sign up and do the race. I hope someone does take it on. Perfect venue.
RJ… that is exactly what I was thinking. Kick off the season at Elk Lake in May , Oliver in early June, Westwood in late June, end it off at Cultus in September.
Sadly no more 70.3’s in BC. I guess the Washington State race will be replacing Victoria. I’m still bitter about Whistler not be available. Great but tough course and spectacular scenery. I wonder if Penticton would do both the full & half at the same??
Got an email today saying the 2021 Victoria 70.3 Race is cancelled. Ironman provided 9 race deferral options (8 of them in the states) and the only Canadian option being 4,500 kms away in Mont Tremblant. Additionally, there is no race refund option. Wrote an email to Victoria race organizers asking for a refund but not holding my breath.
Feeling pretty low on Ironman right now!
100% agree that the options being presented are unsatisfactory. I entered this race because it’s in my own backyard and requires minimal travel expenses.
To be given Washington 70.3 as the closest travel option now requires significant travel and accommodation expenses. We signed up to race in Victoria so if that can’t happen after trying to defer the date a couple times already then give us our money back.
I also don’t buy into the sunk costs and given some of what’s out there about Ironman’s debt I’m guessing our entry fees are long gone.
I would gladly support Dynamic or Lifesport bringing this back as a grassroots race.
My suspicions is this…
Ironman knows this year is gone. It’s looking more and more likely that 2021 is not going to happen either. If the keep the shell game moving, and give enough ridiculous deferral options they will get enough people to simply walk away from their entry fees. Expecting people to pick a race thousands of miles away more than a year from now is not a suitable option. The few that remain will eventually be cancelled and they will either file for bankruptcy or give some sort of partial refund back to those people. And then file for bankruptcy so that they can rebuild for 2022 or 2023.
I don’t realistically think racing is going to happen even in 2021. Best case scenario there is a vaccine that might be available next spring/summer. Ironman knows this as well as anyone else does and is running the game this way to survive as long as they can.
I was registered for both IMVictoria and IMWa. I can’t defer IMVictoria to IMWa because I’ve already deferred IMWa. Leaving me with the next closest option being an airplane ride away instead of an hour drive.
I hope Ironman does the right thing at at least start issuing some sort of refund. But like others have said, given their debt situation. I suspect the fees we all paid 8 months ago are long gone.
Im hoping that this will breathe some life back into the local grassroots race scene. The shine has been off Ironmand brand for me for a few years but this treatment is harsh…
Man, that is a depressing post. Possible, but depressing.