Due to today’s Government announcement advising the Covid-19 alert level settings remaining at 2.5 in Auckland and 2 for the rest of the country and the resultant restriction of group sizes which will affect sports events, we advise that we have reassessed the Rakiura Challenge 2020 Event for this year.
As we now know, the Government will be reassessing alert level settings on Monday, 14 September.
Given the recognition by Government there is still a risk of Covid-19 being in the community in the foreseeable future, it is possible, in fact highly possible, that the alert level settings will not be reduced on 14 September.
With what we assess as being a high possibility that alert levels will remain the same after 14 September, regrettably, we have made the decision that we will be cancelling the Rakiura Challenge Event on Saturday, 3 October. Like you, we are very disappointed to be advising you of this announcement, especially with us thinking as late as last week that it may still have been possible to hold our event as planned.
This week we were having to book supplies and services, incurring non-refundable costs. Along with this, the Rakiura/Stewart Island community and businesses were starting to get ready and looking forward to the Rakiura Challenge and we were confirming travel arrangements for our marshalls and supporters. To delay notice of cancellation until the next Government announcement would, in our view, be irresponsibly imposing disruption, inconvenience and costs on these stakeholders, supporters and, of course, you, our runners.
We understand how disappointed you must be feeling. The local Rakiura/Stewart Island community, our volunteers and suppliers will also be very disappointed and, as has been the case with Covid-19, in many cases, again, be affected financially.
We trust you understand and support our position.
Be assured, we are already planning for our 2021 event for the same date next year.
You will receive an email from us within the next week offering options for refund or transferring your entry to next year’s event.
Finally, we hope you are able to keep up with your training and it would be great to see you down in Stewart Island during next year for a visit and perhaps a training run before next year’s event.
Stay safe and good luck with your training.
Rakiura Challenge Event Organisers
Aaron Joy, Chris Cox & Morgan Shepherd
For any enquiries, please contact Race Director Chris Cox on 027 293 8309 or email chris@chriscox.co.nz.