Say a state or city permits Ironman to host a race at some point in 2020 and the threat of COVID-19 is as relevant as it is today and there is not a vaccine, will they give registrants options or essentially for you to race or be out race fees?
Take IMAZ as example, if the race is permitted will Ironman recognize not all are willing to take the risk without a vaccine, will they give registrants the option to race as intended or defer to the 2021 race or another future race?
It isn’t just that some people might not be willing to race without a vaccine, but that there are international boundaries to consider. The local area might decide that the risk is low enough to race, but the world is now full of closed borders.
Consider that the local area might say you can race but if you’re from another country, the race can go on, but good luck getting a refund.
Of course - travel restrictions! Thanks for adding another scenario!
It isn’t just that some people might not be willing to race without a vaccine, but that there are international boundaries to consider. The local area might decide that the risk is low enough to race, but the world is now full of closed borders.
Consider that the local area might say you can race but if you’re from another country, the race can go on, but good luck getting a refund.
I actually sent them that very same question and got some robo-response that didn’t answer anything at all. Just the typical we’re monitoring the situation, blah, blah, blah.
I have IMChatt and IMAZ yet to be canceled but I’ve already decided I’m not racing this year. Too many variables and the back to racing guidance I’ve seen doesn’t offer up enough real world practicality. So I plan to sit 2020 out and see how this all shakes out for 2021.
I actually sent them that very same question and got some robo-response that didn’t answer anything at all. Just the typical we’re monitoring the situation, blah, blah, blah.
I have IMChatt and IMAZ yet to be canceled but I’ve already decided I’m not racing this year. Too many variables and the back to racing guidance I’ve seen doesn’t offer up enough real world practicality. So I plan to sit 2020 out and see how this all shakes out for 2021.
Yep - 2020 is done for mass races. Lets all come to terms with that!
I would think if the race is on and you don’t feel comfortable racing, you’re out of luck as far as race fees go.
Now if you can’t get there because of travel restrictions, I would think they would give the option of deferral to another race or to next year.
Not so fast. Last night, we were at the opening of the COTA race track (weekly rides on the F1 track) where there were 500+ cyclists riding, and I spoke with the race director of the Texas tri series and the Austin & 3M marathons. He said that triathlons are easy to pass the state’s rules on sports events due to size of the area they take place over.
According to the state, up to 25% capacity is ok for sporting events, and using his local race site, that would mean he could hold well over 40k people, which is far more than would ever be on course (it’s a sprint course so actually not big, it is essentially a big square that is about 20km in circumference).
They are definitely feeling their way forward, but he was very optimistic all the races in the second half would happen, if things stay on the current course.
Jack
Same boat for me with IMAZ. I have decided to not race! I am curious if I will have an option or if I am just out the reg fee.
I actually sent them that very same question and got some robo-response that didn’t answer anything at all. Just the typical we’re monitoring the situation, blah, blah, blah.
I have IMChatt and IMAZ yet to be canceled but I’ve already decided I’m not racing this year. Too many variables and the back to racing guidance I’ve seen doesn’t offer up enough real world practicality. So I plan to sit 2020 out and see how this all shakes out for 2021.
Yep - 2020 is done for mass races. Lets all come to terms with that!
this is from the IM AZ website
Athletes who register on or before March 1, 2020 are eligible to defer their entry into the 2021 IRONMAN Arizona free of charge. All deferral requests will be honored until October 8, 2020 regardless of the reason for deferral. The deferral may only be used once. Athletes who elect to defer their entries forfeit any partial refund, ability to transfer or insurance refund. To submit a deferral request. please contact arizona@ironman.com.
so it seems that you can defer til 2021
Wait is there still a pandemic? According to everything I’ve seen in the last week with the protests/riots social distancing appears to officially be over. Pretty scary actually since I’m in the medical field directly dealing with covid.
this is from the IM AZ website
Athletes who register on or before March 1, 2020 are eligible to defer their entry into the 2021 IRONMAN Arizona free of charge. All deferral requests will be honored until October 8, 2020 regardless of the reason for deferral. The deferral may only be used once. Athletes who elect to defer their entries forfeit any partial refund, ability to transfer or insurance refund. To submit a deferral request. please contact arizona@ironman.com.
so it seems that you can defer til 2021
I see that on the website now. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t there three weeks ago when I asked them the question. I would have noticed that and I would have assumed they would have answered my question.
Thanks for pointing it out. Oddly enough IMChatt doesn’t have that same offer and happens nearly two months earlier.
I stand corrected. Good on Ironman.
Wow! That must be new to the website! And, yes, good on Ironman!
this is from the IM AZ website
Athletes who register on or before March 1, 2020 are eligible to defer their entry into the 2021 IRONMAN Arizona free of charge. All deferral requests will be honored until October 8, 2020 regardless of the reason for deferral. The deferral may only be used once. Athletes who elect to defer their entries forfeit any partial refund, ability to transfer or insurance refund. To submit a deferral request. please contact arizona@ironman.com.
so it seems that you can defer til 2021
For the moment I plan on racing. But good to know.
I actually sent them that very same question and got some robo-response that didn’t answer anything at all. Just the typical we’re monitoring the situation, blah, blah, blah.
I have IMChatt and IMAZ yet to be canceled but I’ve already decided I’m not racing this year. Too many variables and the back to racing guidance I’ve seen doesn’t offer up enough real world practicality. So I plan to sit 2020 out and see how this all shakes out for 2021.
Yep - 2020 is done for mass races. Lets all come to terms with that!
I think we all have come to terms with that. It’s Ironman that hasn’t. I hope they give people a second shot at transferring entries to next year; when they made the offer for Oceanside it still wasn’t clear what was going on with covid, and how much impact it would have on race logistics. I really don’t feel like racing long course this year, until there is a vaccine and races are more like they use to be. I don’t want to carry around my nutrition, and I don’t feel that safe for volunteers to be prepping the drinks I’ll be drinking during the day.
I actually sent them that very same question and got some robo-response that didn’t answer anything at all. Just the typical we’re monitoring the situation, blah, blah, blah.
I have IMChatt and IMAZ yet to be canceled but I’ve already decided I’m not racing this year. Too many variables and the back to racing guidance I’ve seen doesn’t offer up enough real world practicality. So I plan to sit 2020 out and see how this all shakes out for 2021.
Yep - 2020 is done for mass races. Lets all come to terms with that!
…………….
Maybe in the USA they are done but the first triathlon in Asia was held at QianDao Lake,China last week. A Sprint’ish distance with 300 athletes (71 foreigners)…
My money is on the Vietnam 70.3 going ahead in Sept and then maybe Ironman Malaysia in October.
Taiwan has had a total of 442 cases and no local transmission for 52 days.
Ironman Taiwan 70.3 for Sept 13 is on.
November Challenge Taiwan Full, half and 5150 are on. And the inaugural Formosa Xtreme Triathlon later in the month. Doing all three.
Taiwan does not allow non-residents/citizens into the country currently.
All returning citizens are subject to mandatory and heavily enforced 14 day quarantine. ($30000USD max fines can/have been levied)
There have already been several local bike races held in the past 2 weeks.
We will see what the situation is in the fall if the borders are open again by then. But as of now…there will be at least a half IM, and full iron distance races on this island in 2020 and we can race without virus fear.
Triathlon Australia minutes ago had a live Q&A and it was announced that the Northern Territory starts racing next week.Field limits are at 100 for now but as soon as other sports start allowing spectators at live games (like football) then that will open the door for big races like Ironman events. Tri Oz CEO Miles Stewart said that he predicts Western Australia to be the next,which to me means Ironman WA in December will most likely go ahead as planned.He also hinted that he thought ALL states will be up and running with races in the next two months. So fingers crossed that all the September Ironman events go ahead.I think they will.
Plus side: people might actually respect the draft zone.
this is from the IM AZ website
Athletes who register on or before March 1, 2020 are eligible to defer their entry into the 2021 IRONMAN Arizona free of charge. All deferral requests will be honored until October 8, 2020 regardless of the reason for deferral. The deferral may only be used once. Athletes who elect to defer their entries forfeit any partial refund, ability to transfer or insurance refund. To submit a deferral request. please contact arizona@ironman.com.
so it seems that you can defer til 2021
I see that on the website now. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t there three weeks ago when I asked them the question. I would have noticed that and I would have assumed they would have answered my question.
Thanks for pointing it out. Oddly enough IMChatt doesn’t have that same offer and happens nearly two months earlier.
It’s spelled out pretty clearly on the registration page for IMChoo
a) Partial Refund
Withdrawal requests must be received in writing via email to the race contact email. Without exception, all requests must be received on or before August 13, 2020 to be eligible for a partial refund of $150.00 USD. Deferments are NOT permitted. The Withdrawal Policy also applies to the Foundation and Relay Entries.
b) Deferral Option
Athletes who register on or before January 5, 2020 are eligible to defer their entry into the 2021 IRONMAN Chattanooga free of charge. All deferral requests will be honored until August 13, 2020 regardless of the reason for deferral. The deferral may only be used once. Athletes who elect to defer their entries forfeit any partial refund, ability to transfer or insurance refund. To submit a deferral request. please contact chattanooga@ironman.com.
c) NORTH AMERICAN TRANSFER PROGRAM
Athletes who are unable to attend the event are eligible to transfer their entry into a 2020 North American IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 race that has general entry slots available. Transfer requests out of IRONMAN Chattanooga will be honored until August 13, 2020. Please visit the North American Transfer Program website prior to submitting your request to view additional program policies. To submit a transfer request. please contact chattanooga@ironman.com.Athletes must transfer out of this race by August 13, 2020 and into the transfer event no later than 45days prior to event. All transfer requests are subject to availability. To inquire about a transfer, please contact the race email.