We are officially on the tail end of the longest April in the history of the Universe.
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of our athletes, friends, and families for being extremely supportive during these unprecedented times.
As we all know, COVID-19 has completely decimated the Events Industry. Just three months ago, the thought of the potential simultaneous cancellation/postponement of every event in the world would have been considered completely ludicrous... and an impossibility of epic proportions. A Spring without baseball? No NCAA Tournament? No NBA, or NHL finals? Not possible, right?
I'm not very religious (I consider myself very spiritual), but my mother is fond of saying, "We make plans, and God laughs." This could not be truer in today's climate.
So where are we right now? Where do we go from here? What is the plan? Will there be events in 2020? These are all valid questions and quite frankly, we spend our days trying to find answers. Unfortunately, NO ONE has a clue what will happen tomorrow. I'd like to think we are going to overcome this as a community, as a nation, and as global citizens, but the only way we're going to reach that level of comfort is if we all do our part. For some, it means going into their 'essential' positions and doing the work. For others, it's staying home to help prevent the potential spread of the virus.
As of right now, here's the plan:
- July 12: Hand & Stone Women's Philadelphia Triathlon & 5K
-As of right now, we're a GO in the city of “Sisterly Love.” We are in contact with the city and we'll keep everyone informed if we have to make any adjustments to the date.
- July 14: Red Bull Surf & Rescue
-Like WPT, we're still a GO for the best lifeguard competition on the East Coast.
- August 1: Atlantic City Triathlon
- August 8: Hops Trot 5K (run in conjunction with the Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival)
- August 22: Tri the Wildwoods Triathlon & 5K
-Remember, we moved the date of this event to make room for the Escape the Cape Triathlon & Open Water Classic (formerly June 14)
- September 13: IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City
- October 10-11: Crest Best Run Fest
By no means is this calendar set in stone. If you read the recent article in the NY Times, What Will Endurance Races Look Like When They Come Back? I was quoted saying, “If the summer gets wiped out, we will have to get very creative." And that's exactly what we'll have to do... get very creative.
The only thing we ask of you that you understand each and every decision we make, we're making in the best interest of the athlete, the communities in which these events are held, and in a manner that will allow DelMoSports to survive and ultimately thrive once we slingshot through this pandemic.
I have no other solace to give, no other solutions, no other worldly advice. What I do have is a belief that we as a community of endurance-loving humans will be patient, will be persistent, and ultimately will be ready to go when we can 'line up again.'
Sincerely,
Stephen Del Monte
