After careful review and consideration, the organisers of CHALLENGE CAPETOWN have confirmed the postponement of the 2020 event to November 2021.
The City of Cape Town’s first and only middle distance triathlon was scheduled to take place again on Sunday, 8 November, and has become the latest mass participation sporting event to be removed from the SA racing calendar amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Triathlon South Africa Vice President Jan Sterk confirmed the postponement, saying it was a difficult decision to make, but ultimately the right one. “We know it is a great disappointment to the organisers who have worked tirelessly to host the 2nd edition of the race in November, as well as the triathletes who were looking forward to racing in November. However, we must prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved.”
CHALLENGE CAPETOWN’s race director Gary Marescia added that the postponement came after the organising team had exhausted all other options. “We were looking forward to hosting a fantastic CHALLENGE CAPETOWN 2020, especially after the inaugural event was crowned Best New Race in 2019. Unfortunately these are unprecedented and uncertain times, and we must take all practical measures to ensure that our participants, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and stakeholders are not exposed to further risk. With such uncertainty over the next few weeks and months, it is fair and important that our participants are provided with decisions that will also empower them to plan their training and preparation for the 2021 event”.
Entrants will have the option to either request a full refund (less a R150 (+/- 8 Euros) administration / processing fee), or defer their entry to the November 2021 race. The refund and deferment process will be facilitated through athletes’ entry profile on EasyReg, and affected entrants will receive detailed communications and instructions in this regard in the coming days.
CHALLENGE FAMILY CEO Jort Vlam commended the organising team for taking the appropriate steps in these challenging times, adding that the postponement and refund options support the CHALLENGE FAMILY brand ethos.
“Putting the interests of our athletes and triathlon family first is at the heart of everything we do, and a major driving force in the decisions we make. It is devastating that we have to postpone CHALLENGE CAPETOWN this year, but this was the right call. I know CHALLENGE CAPETOWN will come back stronger in 2021 and continue to shape the future of triathlon in South Africa and Africa in years to come.”