SAFE AND SECURE IN 2021
The latest news regarding COVID-19
LAST UPDATED: 16/04/2021
This week saw another step in the easing of lockdown restrictions and the Government has announced that the UK remains on the original road map. This allows us to continue work behind the scenes to ensure we can safely deliver the Threshold Trail Series in 2021. As referenced in our previous update we now have detailed guidance on the measures we will potentially need to put in place to ensure the safe delivery of Race to the King, HEINEKEN Race to the Castle and Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones. We have outlined 5 changes you are likely to see on the Threshold Trail Series in 2021. It is important to note that the situation remains fluid and there may be further measures we need to put in place, if the regulations are eased, we may be able to remove certain restrictions. Over the coming weeks we will continue to closely monitor advice and guidance regarding outdoor events and ensure all participants are updated at any point these measures impact the series.
- Re-vamped start waves – We’ve had to revisit the traditional Trail series mass starts to allow for social distancing at the start line and along the route. Instead of releasing 500 participants every 20 minutes, we’ll be pulsing runners out from the start line over a longer window in small groups or as individuals a few seconds apart. Since each participant will start at a slightly different time, all winning prizes will be awarded based on chip time rather than gun time.
- Social Distancing – We know that creating space is key to delivering a covid secure event and we’ve been sourcing and designing event venues to allow for social distancing wherever possible. This includes our start and finish lines, basecamps, and pit stops. You can expect to see larger sites with smaller crowds, defined participant flow, and designated places to queue at service areas such as Info Desks, Tent Allocation, refreshment distribution, and so on.
- Enhanced Hygiene – This year we’ll be employing teams of dedicated cleaners to keep our sites, equipment, and infrastructure squeaky clean and reduce the risk of COVID-19 on surfaces. They’ll focus on the elements that participants most frequently come into contact with, tables, chairs, toilets, showers, and so on. Moreover, we’ll be introducing a greater number of sanitising stations so that you never have to travel far to clean your hands.
- Face Covering – So long as the guidance requires it, we’ll be respectfully requesting that participants wear a face-covering where social distancing is challenging. These areas will be denoted by signage and may include much of the free flow space at venues and pit stops, when not otherwise sitting down. Naturally, we’ll also be following the government advice on valid exemptions and respecting those that cannot wear one for age, health, or disability reasons.
- Spectators – With social distancing in place, the capacity of our venues is reduced and since we’ll always prioritise our participants, in some locations there will be restrictions on spectator attendance. We know how important it is to see a friendly face at the finish line and we’ll be looking at this on an event by event basis in order to accommodate them wherever possible.
Race to the Tower
Postponement Announcement
Following a detailed assessment of the impact of the latest Government guidelines we are very sad to announce that we have made the difficult decision to postpone Race to the Tower 2021 to 2022.
In a normal year, Race to the Tower costs more to deliver per head than any other Trail Series event. This has historically been something we can manage. However, the additional costs for COVID safety measures, combined with a marked drop in sign up as people opt for races after the 21st June, means it isn’t viable to deliver the event to the standard we pride ourselves on.
However, we remain confident and fully focussed on delivering the other events in the Trail Series that are less susceptible to the challenges above due to their scale, dates, infrastructure and partner structures.
Options available to you
We know many of you will have been putting in miles and miles of training, raising funds for charity and were enormously excited about crossing your first finish line in months. Therefore, we are offering the following options to try and ensure that effort doesn’t go to waste:
Transfer to another Threshold Trail Series event in 2021, free of charge – a limited number of places are available for our other iconic events. Due to the expected high demand places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
Defer your place to 2022 – Free deferral to June 2022 (date to be finalised).
If you are unable to take up any of those options, we are also offering a 100% refund (minus booking fee). You’ll have until 4th July to confirm which option you’d prefer and you can click here to find out more about the steps you’ll need to take to complete your choice.
The last 12 months have been an extremely challenging time for Threshold. Thank you again for all your support and patience as we have looked to navigate the unknown with as much clarity and decency as possible.
We hope as many of you can join us on a different start-line in 2021. It will be a wonderful moment when we are out there once again.
Nick Tuppen, Threshold Sports, CEO
COVID-19 FAQS
WHAT MEASURES ARE YOU PUTTING IN PLACE TO MITIGATE COVID-19?
We take your safety on event very seriously and we will ensure that we adhere to all Government and WHO guidelines at the time of the event.
We are working closely with industry and COVID-19 Health and Safety experts to maximise the chances of the events continuing as planned. We are giving focus to a range of measures whilst also working hard to ensure that none of the traditional Threshold magic and hospitality is lost.
What if the event can't go ahead again due to COVID-19
For 2021, if the event can’t go ahead again due to COVID-19, we are able to commit to giving a full refund on your entry fee paid to date (less the Booking Fees), and any additional extras purchased and not received.
Please read the Rules and Regulations relating to the event for further information.
What happens if the event is changed due to COVID-19?
If due to COVID-19, we need to change the time, date and/or format of the event, we are able to commit to giving a full refund on your entry fee paid to date (less the Booking Fees), and any additional extras purchased and not received.
Please read the Rules and Regulations relating to the event for further information.
What if I can't attend due to needing to self-isolate or being in a government imposed local/international lockdown?
If due to COVID-19, you need to self-isolate, are subject to a local lockdown or international quarantine restrictions, we will waive the Administration Fee to Defer to the following year or Transfer to another event later in the year (Trail Series only).
The participant must notify Threshold via email by the time that registration commences on the live event and provide evidence of the situation.
Please read the Rules and Regulations relating to the event for further information.
What if I have already paid my deferral fee and the event can’t go ahead due to COVID-19?
If you have already paid your deferral fee and the event can’t go ahead due to COVID-19 and is rolled to a new date that you can do / to the following year, we will refund this fee.
If I don’t purchase registration insurance during registration, will I still be entitled to a refund if the event is cancelled/changed date due to COVID-19?
Yes, all participants, regardless of whether you have purchased registration insurance or not, are entitled to a 100% refund of their Entry Fee if the event is cancelled due to COVID-19.
