SPOKANE, Wash. — The 2020 Ironman 70.3 in Coeur d'Alene was canceled Monday, according to a press release from organizers.
The race, originally set for June 28, was postponed to Sept. 6. It was canceled Monday, July 28. The Ironman 70.3 is a popular endurance triathlon that is also known as the half-Ironman.
The press release said organizers "feel confident" they will be able to have the event at a later date.
"Unfortunately, based on further conversations with and direction from local authorities in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the health and safety of our community being an utmost priority, the IRONMAN 70.3 Coeur d’Alene triathlon cannot take place in 2020," the press release says. "All registered athletes of the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 Coeur d’Alene triathlon will be receiving an email with further information. In what has been a continually evolving and challenging time globally, we thank our athletes for their commitment and look forward to providing them with an exceptional race experience in the future."
A full Ironman will be returning to Coeur d'Alene in 2021, race organizers announced earlier this year.
The company did not offer refunds to athletes when they postponed the event in May. It is unclear if they will offer refunds for the cancellation.
Ironman typically doesn't allow refunds unless athletes purchase an additional protection plan. That policy is meant to deter people from signing up and then dropping out, but athletes say the policy should be treated differently in the face of coronavirus.