USA Triathlon and race production company Ready Set Go Adventures have announced that the 2020 USA Triathlon Off-Road National Championships have been cancelled due to ongoing precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Off-Road Nationals were initially scheduled to take place on May 16 as part of the Way Over Yonder Off-Road Triathlon & Duathlon hosted by Ready Set Go Adventures at Wawayanda State Park in Hewitt, New Jersey. The event was then rescheduled to September 13 at the same venue.
Currently, COVID-19 restrictions in New Jersey require individuals traveling from 36 states to self-quarantine for two weeks. Due to the cross-state travel required for a National Championship, and to enable a smaller and more local race to continue with proper COVID-19 safety precautions in place, USA Triathlon and the event organizer determined that the Off-Road National Championships can no longer take place in 2020.
The Way Over Yonder Off-Road Triathlon & Duathlon is still scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 13, as an age-group event without a national championship designation.
The 2021 edition of Off-Road Nationals will return to Hewitt and the Way Over Yonder Off-Road Triathlon & Duathlon on May 15.
“Unfortunately, current COVID-19 restrictions in New Jersey eliminate the possibility of drawing a national field for this event,” said Brian D’Amico, Director of Events at USA Triathlon.
“While it is always disappointing to cancel a National Championship, we are confident this is the only feasible decision that is fair to all athletes. We hope athletes local to New Jersey may still be able to participate in the age-group Way Over Yonder event.
“We are grateful for the support of Ready Set Go Adventures and look forward to returning to Wawayanda State Park for the 2021 edition of Off-Road Nationals.”
David Schwartz, Head Adventurer at Ready Set Go Adventures and Race Director for the 2020 and 2021 USA Triathlon Off-Road National Championships, said “As racers ourselves, we have a first-hand understanding of the challenges facing many athletes.
“Hence, the decision to continue to hold the race as a non-championship, but offer flexible deferral options, was very clear for us. For racers who are able to safely attend the September 13 Way Over Yonder Off-Road Triathlon & Duathlon, they will be treated to a fantastic championship-quality course and a great preview of 2021 Nationals.
“We look forward to racers from across the nation joining us for the fulfilling of our dream of holding the Off-Road National Championships in New Jersey on May 15, 2021.”
Athletes who were registered for the 2020 Off-Road National Championships have the option to participate in one of the age-group races at the 2020 Way Over Yonder Off-Road Triathlon & Duathlon, which is still scheduled for September 13, provided they can abide by New Jersey’s COVID-19 restrictions.
They will also receive a special 30% off discount code towards the 2021 race. Athletes may also transfer their registration to the 2021 Off-Road National Championships or the 2022 Way Over Yonder Off-Road Triathlon. Athletes will receive an email from Ready Set Go Adventures with more details about how to select a deferral option.
The 2021 USA Triathlon Off-Road National Championships will serve as a qualifier for both the 2021 and 2022 ITU Age Group Cross Triathlon World Championships, which will be held in Almere-Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Townsville, Australia, respectively.
In addition, athletes who qualified and claimed their Team USA spot for the 2020 ITU Off-Road Triathlon World Championships, which have been cancelled, will be eligible to transfer their qualification to the 2021 World Championships. More information about the transfer process will be shared in the coming days with all confirmed 2020 Team USA athletes.
www.usatriathlon.org/covid-19
www.RSGAdventures.com
