News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2020
Grand Rapids Triathlon Postpones 10th Anniversary Race Due to COVID-19
Race will Still Take Place in June with a Virtual Option
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve and the health and safety of athletes, staff and the community remain the number one priority and guiding light, the decision has been made to postpone the 2020 Grand Rapids Triathlon. The event was scheduled to take place on June 14, 2020 to celebrate its 10th-anniversary race since the inaugural race in 2011.
Tris4Health, the organizing committee, has been coordinating with USA Triathlon and was closely monitoring critical developments in recent weeks, including a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States. Given the large size of the event and the required close contact of the sport of triathlon, the difficult decision has been made to postpone the 10th-anniversary edition of Grand Rapids Triathlon until June 13, 2021.
“We realize that these are unexpected and difficult times and view the multi-sport community as part of our extended family. We are a small, family-owned business that puts on just a handful of events per year and rely on income from athlete registrations to host our events safely and effectively,” said Jon Conkling, Co-Race Director. “Canceling events is never an easy decision to make, and we know that this news is disappointing to a lot of athletes, just as it is disappointing to us. Our team began working on the 2020 race long before we had even put on the 2019 race. We have poured our hearts and souls, as well as thousands of hours, into this event. We are triathletes as well as race directors and understand the hours of training dedicated to racing, but this cancellation was made with the safety of the entire community in mind.”
In lieu of the physical event, all registrants will be offered a virtual option complete with timing, special edition medals and shirts and finisher pictures. This new replacement event is Grand Rapids VIRTUAL Triathlon 9.5. This will be the default option for athletes who are already registered, and a portion of their registration fee will benefit the primary charity partner, Make-a-Wish Michigan, along with Kids’ Food Basket. The virtual option will be available for sign-up for those not currently registered for a flat fee and will run the whole month of June.
Athletes will also be given the opportunity to donate their 2020 race entry fee to be split evenly between Make-A-Wish Michigan and Kids’ Food Basket (after an administrative fee) or have it deferred for free to next year’s event.
All information regarding the postponement of this year’s event, including how to sign up for the virtual event can be found on Grandrapidstri.com.
About Grand Rapids Triathlon
The Grand Rapids Triathlon is the largest independent triathlon in Michigan. Since its debut event in 2011, it has grown to host over 2,000 triathletes from across the nation. The Grand Rapids Triathlon’s flat, fast course is ideal for the new and experienced triathlete alike where athletes enjoy a beautiful swim in the lake-like Thornapple River, ride the flat country-road bike course then run the scenic and shaded run course in Ada township with loads of local support. It offers Sprint, Olympic and Half Iron distances in addition to Aquabike, Relays and Swim-Only events. In 2019, Greater Grand Rapids residents, Jon Conkling and John Mosey became the new owners and Race Directors. They also co-own the Michigan Titanium and The Dirty Mitten Gravel Triathlon, both local events.
