USA Triathlon and race production company Smooth Running have announced that the Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships have been cancelled due to ongoing precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships were initially scheduled to take place on July 18 in Long Beach, California, as part of the Legacy Triathlon. When the Legacy Triathlon event weekend was cancelled, the Paratriathlon Nationals were rescheduled to take place as part of the Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Triathlon hosted by Smooth Running on September 20 in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
USA Triathlon and Mitch Varnes, Race Director of the Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Triathlon, have closely monitored all recommendations by local and national public health authorities, including the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Due to the extensive travel required for a competitive national event, the Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships have been cancelled for 2020.
The Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Triathlon will continue as a local USA Triathlon-sanctioned event for age-group athletes — including a triathlon, duathlon and relay division — as well as the USA Triathlon Southeast Paratriathlon Regional Championships. The age-group event has twice been named a finalist for Triathlon Business International’s ‘Best First Timer’s Race’ award.
“We are disappointed that we cannot move forward with this year’s Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships, but we know our athletes will adapt and be ready to come back stronger in 2021,” said Amanda Duke Boulet, Paralympic Program Director at USA Triathlon.
“This annual showcase of paratriathlon talent – from up-and-coming stars to Paralympic champions – should only be designated a national championship if it can be held safely and fairly for all competitors, and this was not feasible in 2020.”
She continued, “With that said, we hope our more local athletes, who can travel safely, will take the opportunity to participate in the Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Triathlon, which still serves as a paratriathlon regional championship.”
Mitch Varnes, Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Triathlon Race Director and Owner of Smooth Running, said “While our team at Smooth Running was eager to welcome the nation’s best and fastest paratriathletes for the Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships, we recognize many would be unable to travel to the race this year, and on the recommendation of USA Triathlon, we mutually agreed to cancel this part of our race.
“We are excited to host our Cocoa Beach Triathlon and Duathlon on September 20 and are proud to still host the regional championship event, with stringent COVID-19 protocols in place to prioritize the health and safety of all participants, staff and volunteers.”
The date and location of the 2021 Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships will be announced later this year.
