Triathletes left without a race and out of pocket after the demise of the Vachery and Xterra England events have been offered discounted alternatives from other race organisers.
A rallying call from 220 Triathlon to organisers across the UK was met with a host of companies making short notice provision to help out the 750 triathletes who were fully paid-up for the cancelled events in Surrey in July and August.
The Vachery festival and cross-country tri Xterra England were called off last Friday after race organisers Brave Events ceased trading following a dispute with Surrey Council Council (updated statement here).
Determined to try and help those who had planned their season around these races, 220 quickly launched an appeal to see if other races could fill the void.
The response was emphatic and the list below provides various options to affected triathletes, with up to half-price concessions offered on events.
“We’ve had a wonderful response from people eager to help out,” says new 220 columnist Tim Heming, who sparked the idea and did a ring-round to organisers. “All the offers (below) are made in the spirit of sport and while the location, event type, and dates may not be perfect for everyone, hopefully it gives disappointed Vachery/XTERRA entrants some great alternatives.”
(Please note: unless stated, proof of entry to Vachery/Xterra should be provided [usually email organiser direct] and individual queries should be addressed to each race organiser.)
The full list of options for athletes who had already booked places at this year's Vachery or Xterra England events runs as follows:
50% discount
Jurassicman Extreme triathlon. Taking place on 10 August in Charmouth, Dorset. More info.
Brutal Extreme triathlon. Taking place on 20 September in Llanberis, Gwynedd. More info.
Xterra Greece. Taking place in/around Lake Plastira on 21 June 2014. More info. Email Konstantinos for details.
25% discount
Grafman middle distance triathlon. Taking place in Cambridgeshire on 8 June. There's also a 20% discount going on shorter nice-tri.co.uk races (email keith@nicetri.co.uk for a discount voucher).
Eirias Middle, taking place in Colwyn Bay (North Wales) on 9th August. Racers need to email proof of Vachery entry to info@xtramileevents.com. Event website here. There's also a 10% discount going on all other Xtra Mile Events, code is 220vachery – full list here.
20% discount
Stowe Triathlon. North Buckinghamshire. 12 July. (sprint, standard and middle distance). More info.
Tri For Love. Leatherhead (sprint distance). 1 June. More info.
F3 Events would be happy to offer 20% off all their events (including triathlons, duathlons, open water swims, sportives and run races) to anyone who entered and can show proof of entry to the Vachery Triathlon Festival. In addition, if you pre-order an XTERRA wetsuit ahead of your event then they will throw in a rucksack, race belt and bento box worth £65 in total. You can enter at www.f3events.co.uk and email richard@f3events.co.uk to get your discount code.
15% discount
Eastern Region Duathlon Cross Championships. 16 March. More info. Contact steve@gobeyondchallenge.co.uk.
10% discount
Steelman Triathlon (Olympic/Three-quarter distance). 12 July. More info.
Kielder triathlon (new iron distance). 6 July. More info.
Cotswold Classic middle distance triathlon and relays. 31 August. More info.
The Cowman middle distance triathlon, Emberton Country Park, Bucks. June 29. More info.
£30 off
Challenge Weymouth (iron-distance. £15 discount on half-distance). 14 September. More info here. (Use discount code: vac13 . Only valid until February 24, 2014)
£15 off
Beaver middle distance triathlon. Belvoir Castle Grantham Leicestershire.May 24. More info here (Use discount code: vac13 . Only valid until February 24, 2014).
£10 off
Brownlee Triathlon South Individual Sprint & Super Sprint Distances. 15 June. More info here. (Discount code available via proof of entry to info@brownleetri.com. Offer valid until 28 February 2014.)
Free
IMG Challenger World – organisers of Blenheim Triathlon, London Triathlon, and Etape Pennines and Etape Caledonia – have donated two free entries for each of their events.
To be in with a chance of winning, just email the following addresses before 31st March, including your proof of entry for Vachery/Xterra. In return for entry, IMG will send you a single email of information about its events:
Blenheim Triathlon: info@theblenheimtriathlon.com
The London Triathlon: info@thelondontriathlon.com
Etape Caledonia: info@etapecaledonia.co.uk
Etape Pennines: info@etapepennines.co.uk
Will you be entering one of these events above instead? Let us know in the comments!