More local triathlon cancellation news

[MCL1981]

Why is this happening?

[PotomacCyclist]

Some are speculating that it has to do with the fact that Adrian Fenty is no longer the mayor of D.C. He was noted for being an avid triathlete and runner. Triathlon really took off during his time in office.

But there was considerable backlash from some quarters in D.C. against cycling, especially bike lanes. Bike lanes actually became a major issue in the campaign, with some of the campaign ads hinting very strongly that it somehow had something to do with race (even though both major party candidates were African-American). I don’t think too many people were surprised when the bike lane project ground to a halt during Mayor Gray’s first year, though it is starting to pick up again.

Bike lanes/bike commuting are not the same as triathlons/racing, but maybe not in the minds of some officials and voters.

Some of the public statements that NPS made after denying the permit for the WDC Tri were very confusing. They could have simply said that there are regulations that limit road racing during the summer months in D.C. (actually starting from the cherry blossom season through the end of summer). But they mentioned Father’s Day and the new MLK Memorial, which is somewhat strange. I don’t think there are any special events at the memorial on Father’s Day. There are also hints that the operator of the bookstore at the MLK Memorial may have raised objections to the race, but that’s unconfirmed. The WDC Tri would have taken place early on a Sunday with most people finishing up before noon. Thus, the bookstore would have been inconvenienced for maybe a couple hours on a Sunday morning. I would think that a financial or promotional arrangement could have been worked out. Instead, the situation reminds me of when NPS used the former exclusive Tourmobile contract to bar Capital Bikeshare from expanding to the National Mall in 2010 and early 2011. It was only after the problems with the no-bid monopoly Tourmobile contract were revealed did NPS change its mind about CaBi on the Mall.

The National Harbor race would have taken place entirely in Maryland and the Potomac River. I don’t think NPS had any veto power over that race. So if it was another permit issue for NH, then it could have been Prince George’s or a Maryland state agency. No details are available yet.

It’s a frustrating situation although I think I’ll adjust personally. Everyone will receive refunds and a $50 discount if they choose to register for a different Ironman 70.3 race this year. However, many people paid for hotel rooms at National Harbor or elsewhere in anticipation of the race. Out-of-town participants also purchased plane tickets.

It kind of makes me want to set aside triathlon this year and focus more on running (although I would still do a lot of cycling as part of my training, and also for fun). But I already transferred my WDC Tri registration to the Nation’s Triathlon. Now I wish that I had chosen to get a refund. With all of these logistical headaches, I’d prefer to simplify everything and just focus on the Marine Corps Marathon in late October. That will be my first ever marathon, so I want to be focused and prepared for it, mentally as well as physically. As it is, I’ll do a lot less swimming this year than planned, and I wouldn’t do as many formal bike workouts, though I would still ride a lot no matter what.

[eminva]

Very sorry to hear this — as I replied the last time you posted similar news, this is disastrous and disruptive for athletes who have been training and preparing for a particular event.

I’m not sure the National Park Service action/inaction stems from any anti-bike vibe from local politicians. However, I think having a very high level advocate for triathlons and cycling in Adrian Fenty when he was mayor may have made them more favorably disposed to grant the required permits during his administration. It’s probably more the lack of high level attention than any perceived antipathy on the part of the current DC administration.

The athletic community needs to get organized and make their displeasure known through their local elected officials.

Liz

[PotomacCyclist]

I sent an email to Congressman Jim Moran. I heard back about 6 weeks later. He didn’t really offer much support. He merely pointed out that NPS had multiple reasons for denying the WDC permit and suggested that people work with NPS on future races. I recommended that others write to their local representatives as well, through the tri club forum. I don’t have any idea if people actually followed up. I get the impression that many didn’t. For some reason, many triathletes don’t care that much about bike infrastructure and bike advocacy issues. Some do, but I don’t think it’s the majority.

[Mark Blacknell]

The speculation re: Fenty/Grey/bikelane backlash is just . . . ridiculous. There are plenty of criticisms to be made about all of those things, but they’re irrelevant, here.

Also, the behavior of the organizer here (zero useful explanation in cancellation notice, now deleted FB page, etc.) leads me to give them zero benefit of the doubt. In fact, given their – in my view – very poor judgment in using National Harbor as a race location*, I’m inclined to think this cluser()@# is almost entirely their own fault.

Yes, I think it’s important for local athletes to let their reps know how important sport is to them. But I don’t think this is the event to make a point over.

*DCRainmaker did a nice job of illustrating how little thought they put into their run. And a bike course down Indian Head Highway? Christ.

[txgoonie]

@Mark Blacknell 19307 wrote:

In fact, given their – in my view – very poor judgment in using National Harbor as a race location*, I’m inclined to think this cluser()@# is almost entirely their own fault.

+1 Anyone who did the Hot Chocolate 5k/15k in December might say that the cancellation of a National Harbor race is a blessing in disguise.

[PotomacCyclist]

I think the problems with the National Harbor race might be related to the Washington DC Tri cancellation. They either had to process refunds for WDC or transfer registration to NH or Nation’s Tri. Or at least it might explain the silence this weekend. Things don’t look very good for the race organizer in general, so now there is concern about the sole remaining WSEM race, the Nation’s Tri. Some are already wondering about the fate of that race. WSEM no longer owns the Nation’s Tri. They manage it on behalf of Competitor Group. At this point, I’m more disappointed than angry, unlike some of the commenters on the now-deleted National Harbor 70.3 Facebook page. (I understand the anger but one guy in particular seemed very close to calling for violent action.)

As for the NPS issues, NPS has not been forthcoming either. They have stated various reasons for denying the WDC permit. That behavior is going to lead to speculation, because they have not stated exactly why the permit was not issued. Yes, there are regulations about road races over the summer in D.C. but why was this not a problem for the 2009-2011 races in June. Why did they create a new rule in 2010 regarding road races on the GW Parkway and Rock Creek Park, after the 2009 (ITU) race and as the June 2010 race was being planned? That rule seems to have targeted the WDC Tri specifically. It would not have applied to any other major race organization. I’m not absolving WSEM for their silence and mishandling of the situation, but I am still disappointed with the actions of the NPS over the past 3 years in relation to triathlons and cycling in general.

[PotomacCyclist]

@txgoonie 19310 wrote:

+1 Anyone who did the Hot Chocolate 5k/15k in December might say that the cancellation of a National Harbor race is a blessing in disguise.

One of the main problems with the Hot Chocolate race was the number of people they tried to squeeze into that area on race day. The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon has been able to use National Harbor as a finish area for their race without the major problems that RAM Racing had. National Harbor has its problems, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have a successful race there.

[Mark Blacknell]

@PotomacCyclist 19311 wrote:

As for the NPS issues, NPS has not been forthcoming either. They have stated various reasons for denying the WDC permit.

I’m pretty much the last person you’ll see defending the NPS. That said, I have to say that a lot of the speculation I see around their decisions seems to glide past what I see as the obvious reason – they’re an agency that seems to hold maximizing car traffic throughput as their primary goal. There’s no targeting/maliciousness involved.

And yeah, at this point, I’m guessing that WSEM is about to implode. That’s about the only sensible explanation for what’s (not) happening.

[SteveTheTech]

This one really chaps my britches. I was planning on volunteering for this event and participating in it as my first half next year.

I’ve heard that National Harbor is very open to sporting events. I have friends over at the National MS society and their huge century ride was OK’d by them with very little issue. They had a crossfit event there a few weeks back and I’m planning on attending the open water swim happy hour out there on Thursday afternoons.

To get the Mdot logo they must have had their ducks in a row to a certain degree.

Washington Sport and Event Management is the common denominator in both the triathlon cancellations….

The July calender for IM Halfs isn’t that great. The only other one on the schedule that’s realistically driveable is Providence, or Eagleman but that sold out months ago. There are half length events that are not IM sanctioned in the area but that would have been a great one for this area. What a shame.

It sucks to see fun events canceled but everyone here has to admit that a repeat of Hot Chocolate would cause riots in the street. The way they went about ending this event will in no way be garnering them any favors when they are looking for a location for any other events.

[PotomacCyclist]

Looks like WSEM is out of business. DC Rainmaker posted that all of their sites seem to have shut down. (Achieve Kids Tri is affiliated and the website is still online, but I think it’s a separate organization.)

The speculation that NH 70.3 was canceled because of low registration numbers makes sense, especially since the World Triathlon Corp. canceled other races last year because of low demand. Early announcements for the race pointed out that they expected the race to sell out quickly. But months later, registration was still open.

I’ll just wait and see what happens with the refunds, whether they are indeed processed as promised. Until then, I’ll switch my focus to other things. The first cancellation (WDC Tri) got me upset. With more and more news, I’m more disappointed and tired of the situation than anything else. Life goes on.

I don’t think I’ll look for an alternate race this year. I’ll see if the Nation’s Tri survives. If so, that will be my only triathlon of the year. I’ll still do several running races, from 5Ks to my first marathon (Marine Corps Marathon in October). Next year, I’m hoping to do some out-of-town races again. I do hope that perhaps in a couple years, a different organization can start up another D.C. area triathlon. Probably not downtown, given the NPS regulations, but maybe a little closer than the Columbia Tri or Eagleman. Those races aren’t that far away, but many people in the D.C. area don’t own cars. Columbia is also a bit of a trek for people from Northern Virginia if they are thinking about driving up there on the morning of a race. There are a few possible race organizers, from local groups like the Columbia Triathlon Association to new national groups like Rev3 and HITS Triathlon Series.

[Tim Kelley]

There is always SavageMan…

[PotomacCyclist]

I might try that at some point, but not this year. I don’t want to trash my legs one month before my first marathon. If I ever do Savageman, it would probably be the last big race of that year for me. Though I’m much better on hills now than I was 3 years ago, a couple more years of steady training and strength work should help out greatly. If I do Savageman, I want to be able to finish it in decent shape, not turn it into a death march.

Plus I want to be able to say that I rode all the way up Westernport Wall without stopping or falling over. I might have a fair shot at that this year, but I can’t say 100%. After another year or two of training, I would be far more confident going in and thinking I can do it.

[SteveTheTech]

@Tim Kelley 19387 wrote:

There is always SavageMan…

That’s an awesome alternative.

To anyone who hasn’t heard of Savageman this is what makes this a top ranking event on the Triathlon Magazines top 100 tris.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8drDVXFoig
It has the steepest climb in triathlon.

The Gran Fonda up there looks like an awesome challenge.
http://winthefight.org/granfondo/savage_century.htm
12,500′ of climbing in 102 miles.

@PotomacCyclist 19388 wrote:

I might try that at some point, but not this year. I don’t want to trash my legs one month before my first marathon. I

Plus I want to be able to say that I rode all the way up Westernport Wall without stopping or falling over. I might have a fair shot at that this year, but I can’t say 100%. After another year or two of training, I would be far more confident going in and thinking I can do it.

Taking on the MCM is nothing to take lightly. Kudos to you sir. Savagman seems like an event you spend the previous year training for and build your race calender around.

I’m planning on doing the Sprint in NH at the end of the season. The warning for the bike course is the main reason I want to do this.
http://setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=2234
That’s nice and short, and they revised the bike and run course to keep participants within the NH property instead of heading out on the local streets.

[americancyclo]

@SteveTheTech 19410 wrote:

The warning for the bike course is the main reason I want to do this.

That hill should make for some fun action on the way down. I predict some spectacular crashes.

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