Getting ready to race in 2021
In Ohio, it seems that guidelines & permits are stricter vs other states when it comes to multisport racing. We’ve noticed that in 2021 running races (road running & trail races) + cycling races (criterium & gravel) have been able to take place - but with triathlon - there are more hoops to go through.
Recently, the American Triple-T [4 triathlon races over the course of 3 days] was canceled for 2021 - this cancellation notice was less than 4 weeks from the start of the epic racing weekend - which was like salt to a wound for athletes just itching to get back to racing. It’s hard to be optimistic when there is uncertainty on the permits race directors are able to obtain from parks, cities, counties, and the state + COVID policies + volunteers + everything else that goes into putting on a successful race.
Last weekend, North American 70.3 championships in St. George, Utah was a kickoff to the IM branded season. So maybe this shows that as the racing season will take place - but the IM brand has money & more capacity to pull off races during COVID.
What about small racing companies - those that really took the hit in 2020? These companies do not make the amount of income that an IM branded races + their capabilities to have a race during a pandemic might stretch their employee & volunteer base even thinner. There is hope though - but it may depend on which state the race is held. Kinetic Multisports held a race in April & May in Virginia. Integrity Multisport held the Sebring Mulitsport Festival this past weekend, which was in Florida. [It seems that multisport races in Florida really didn’t stop in 2020] In the Cleveland area, North Coast Multisport is getting ready to hold their Twinsburg Duathlon - which might have fewer hoops to jump through given that there is no pool/body of water for this type of multisport race. With the City of Cleveland taking on permits for outdoor events, Tri CLE Rock Roll Run is looking to be a great race option for athletes. [TBH if the NFL draft can happen in April in Cleveland, there should be no reason an outdoor triathlon cannot be held in August in Cleveland] Throughout the state of Ohio, athletes are looking forward to racing HFP Races - an athlete can race individual races, or sign up for the FIT Family Series to challenge racing 5 races in the series.
We are remaining optimistic about the racing season in 2021. Maybe because we are looking forward to racing, volunteering, being a part of the community that supports multisport racing. Maybe because we want to start a new normal during this pandemic. Maybe because we know how good that finish line feeling really is! Whatever all the feels are - we know that the multisport racing community is supportive + resilient.
August 7, 2021 | Homegrown race + Masthead virtual race