March 30, 2020 – Citing concerns with the COVID-19 virus and restrictions on mass gatherings in Utah, the organizers of the FrontRunner Century have cancelled the 2020 ride and rescheduled it for 2021. The FrontRunner Century is a unique point to point metric century ride in Utah where cyclists travel north from Salt Lake through west Davis County and Weber County to Ogden, and then take the FrontRunner train back to Salt Lake City. The ride has sold out the last two years, and was on track to do so in 2020. Event organizers Matt and Robyn Storms were expecting 1100 riders this year.
The FrontRunner Century sent out an email earlier today. In it, they explain to riders why the cancellation, and ask that riders defer their entry until 2021 or donate it to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. They are also offering a refund for those riders that would prefer that option.
The text of their email is below:
We’re sure many of you have been wondering, especially in light of recent changes to mass gathering restrictions in Utah, whether or not the Front Runner Century is still going forward on May 2, 2020. Unfortunately, we are going to have to cancel the event this year.
This, of course, isn’t how we envisioned this year happening. But with schools extending how long they will be closed, and local, state, and national government urging everyone to stay home as much as possible, we feel it would be irresponsible of us to go forward with the ride this year. Due to the novelty of Covid-19, there is no way of knowing how long these protocols will be in place. And there is just no way to ensure the minimum social distance at packet pickup, before, during and after the ride, as well as at aid stations along the route. This would be especially difficult on the train ride back to the start.
As we stated in our previous email, your health and well-being, and that of our volunteers is our top priority.
We have put this event on for the past nine years and sold out the last two, and we were excited to be celebrating the 10th Annual Front Runner Century with all of you. We had big plans to celebrate our “birthday” but will now just have to put those plans on hold and come back bigger and better next year.
So what does this mean for you and your registration?
We are offering you three options:
Transfer your entry to next year. Though we recently changed our policy to no longer accept deferments, we are making an exception due to the situation. Next year’s ride is May 8, 2021. If you wish to defer, please click here.
Donate your fees: As you know our ride raises money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. As a result of us having to cancel this year’s ride, we won’t have the funds to give them a donation this year. If you would like to donate your fees, including any meals and hats purchased, if applicable. Please click here if you wish to donate your fees.
Refund your registration : If you are unsure if next year’s date works for you and would like a refund, please click here. You will receive a refund for your registration (minus any registrations fees incurred from imAthlete), as well as for any meals or hats purchased, if applicable. Refunds will be issued mid-May.
Hopefully one of the above three options is satisfactory. We are so grateful for all of you for your continued support of our ride. We were inline to have our biggest year yet and were looking forward to being able to donate more to charity than we have in years past.
Please let us know of your choice regarding your registration no later than April 30, 2020. If we do not hear from you one way or the other, we will automatically defer your registration to the 2021 ride, and you will no longer be eligible for a refund.
We know you are most likely disappointed about the event being canceled. We are too, but we want to do our part to flatten the curve, and most importantly want everyone to remain healthy and safe. Keep riding and we will see you next year!
Matt & Robyn Storms
For The Win Racing, Inc
