“The Greatest Moments of Growth Are Always The Most Painful.” - Joe Bogle, The Fudge Kitchens
If there was a quote to sum up 2020, there you have it. Those words were spoken to me when I was just starting DelMoSports. I thought I had hit my toughest point in business a few years back. Wrong. 2020 made anything I thought was difficult in the past almost laughable. Life has a way of doing that. That’s why it’s called Life.
I don’t quite know what else to say about the last 10 months other than…we made it. Eyes forward, lean in, go. I want everyone to understand this ONE THING, just because the calendar year is turning over doesn’t mean any of us are guaranteed a better year, to lose 10lbs, our businesses to recover or our society to heal. It will take all of us doing the work (meaning doing our part) to assure we achieve the goals we set and then some. DO NOT SIT BACK and expect success, rather LEAN IN and earn it the old-fashioned way. Additionally, do not live in fear - educate yourself to understand your current limitations and unlock the code to conquer those question marks.
We are all well aware of our current reality. COVID numbers are the highest they have ever been with a spike in cases set to take place by mid-January; on the flip-side, vaccinations are underway with some analysts calling for most Americans who want a vaccine to be able to receive one by early summer. Although this is great news for all of us, we cannot become complacent. We must run “through the finish line,” (not to it) and continue to do our part. Hopefully, with us compliance and discipline government restrictions will become less and RESPONSIBLE organizations, businesses, and persons can resume business as close-to-usual as possible. According to Triathlete Magazine contributor Barry Siff, “Local grassroots races, which are cost-effective, extremely welcoming to newbies, and create a strong sense of community will be the precursor to a significant growth in events, most likely beginning in late second quarter 2021 and through the remainder of Q3.” It’s statements like this which give us cause for OUTSTANDING OPTIMISM in 2021.
“That’s great DelMoSports, but why haven’t you opened registration yet?” As Jules Winnfield famously stated in Pulp Fiction, “Well, allow me to retort!”
April 16-17, MudHen Brewing Co. 10 Miler, 5 Miler & 5K: Due to the overwhelming success of our COVID protocols and safety measures of the Crest Best Run Fest this past October, we are 100% confident in executing a safe, fun, live event this coming April. Currently, there is major road construction on Ocean Avenue in Wildwood. We are working with the Wildwood Police Department on securing an alternate route that meets the proper requirements of all interested parties. You can expect to feel super safe and secure when racing with us this spring, as well as...
June 6, Escape the Cape Triathlon & Open Water Classic: If there is one event we get the most questions on, it’s ETC. Currently, over 600 athletes have deferred to the 2022 event. This gives us approximately 1400 persons on the Cape May Lewes Ferry. I know that may sound like a lot, but when you remove ALL THE CARS from the boat and strategically distance athletes out over three decks (no athletes will be permitted inside the vessel's cabin area), and require masks onboard prior to jumping, there is ample room to execute a safe, fun event. Couple that with a greatly expanded transition area and course enhancement to reduce course density, and we have a fantastic start to our triathlon season.
July 11, Women’s Philadelphia Triathlon: For those that have participated in this instant-classic pool triathlon it can be hard to imagine how we would do things differently. Luckily, this is all I do all day long and I have time on my hands. In 2021, we are planning to totally reimagine our transition area, how athletes enter/exit the pool, in addition to our check-in process and finish line. We have ample space to distance in West Fairmont Park and we plan on asking for A LOT more in 2021.
August 7, Atlantic City Triathlon: If there is one event we have nearly unlimited room to produce, it’s the Atlantic City Triathlon at Bader Field. We have a GRAND PLAN to effectively social distance our athletes from start to finish as a precursor as to what to expect for IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City, which follows in September. One of the things you can expect from us is a new finish line…the beach! Yup, we are super excited to move our finish from Kennedy Plaza to the beach and thus increasing our square footage by over 100,000 extra square feet.
August 28, Tri the Wildwoods Triathlon: The granddaddy of them all, the one that started the fun and changed the course of my life forever. What will this event look like in 2021? Traditionally speaking, Tri the Wildwoods is located in a tight spot. Nestled in front of a couple hotels and set behind the North Wildwood Beach Patrol, this event has seen its fair share of change over the past 17 years. From humble beginnings operating out of the Matador Oceanfront Resort hospitality room, to athlete check-in on the lawn of Wildwood Catholic Academy, TRIWW has always adapted to its own evolution and 2021 will be no different. New challenges for 2021 not only include spacing for social distance in a pandemic era, but finding solutions to operate with an eroding beach. But in true DelMo fashion, we will find a way, we will communicate our plan, and we will execute safely, and flawlessly.
All of our events are unique, special, and operate perfectly within the setting of our local communities. With that, we need to review all desired adjustments, both big and small, with our governing authorities prior to opening our registration for the 2021 season. REST ASSURED, for those who have deferred from 2020 to 2021, we have you in mind and will notify you FIRST, with the rest of our athletes following shortly.
From the beginning, DelMoSports has built its reputation on safety and transparency and that will never change. When YOU decide to return to racing, we’ll be here, plan in hand, from a safe distance - of course!
All the best to you and your family in 2021,Team DelMo and Family
