COVID-19 Update 6/11/20
Thank you for your patience as we work towards MiTi 2020. For those of you outside of Michigan, our Governor recently opened the northern portion of the state and it seems to have gone well. We are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to hold MiTi as planned in August, although with significant modifications. We want to give you an update on what those modifications may look like, with further details coming very soon.
Please keep in mind that while things are looking a bit more positive locally, COVID-19 continues to be a very fluid situation. We are presenting the information below based on the best available data we have to date. If additional restrictions are put back in place between now and August and we are only allowed to have 100 or 250 people gathering, then Michigan Titanium will not happen this year and all entries will be deferred to 2021.
- Athlete Cap – As of right now we are projecting that cap to be somewhere in the 500 athlete range, depending on state and local regulations at the time of the event and the physical capacity of the venue. If we can safely and logistically raise the cap as we get closer to the event date, we will certainly do so.
- New Registrations – With the cap in mind, we are closing Olympic and Swim-Only registrations but leaving open the Half and Full distance events.
- Expo/Packet Pickup – This will be very different from previous years, specific details announced soon. Our goal will be to limit contact while still allowing everyone to pick up their packet.
- Bike Drop Off – This will still happen the day before the race.
- Preview Swim – This July preview is cancelled for this year.
- Kids’ Triathlon – Cancelled for 2020, returning for 2021. Please email Lori for next steps if you already registered your child(ren) – [email protected]
- Swim – The swim start will most likely be a rolling wave format with 3-6 people going off at a time and 15-30 seconds spacing between waves. We are working on how best to handle the different distances to limit the number of people in transition at one time.
- Transition – Transition will be modified significantly with 3 people per rack and two lanes of one-way traffic to limit potential contact. Previously, athletes 1-8 would be on one rack, 2-16 on the second, etc. This will be changing and athlete 1 will be on one rack, athlete 2 on a second rack, etc. Our hope is that by the time the next athlete racked on rack 1 comes out of the water the first athlete will be long gone.
- Bike – We are looking at revising the bike course to reduce the number of aid stations so as to not require athletes to completely self-support their hydration and nutrition.
- Run – Like the bike course, the run course will most likely be revised to help limit contact.
- Finish Line – We are asking that people not congregate at the finish line. To help move things along we will be making awards available for pickup at a later date and will ship them to people who are not local.
- Deferral – If you register for MiTi 2020 and decide you are not comfortable racing this year we will allow a 100% deferral to next year. There will be no refunds and a virtual event alternative is highly unlikely. We will also offer a 100% deferral policy in the case of cancellation due to Covid-19. Again, there will be no refunds.
- Transfers – Athletes can transfer their entry to another athlete FREE of charge (we are waving the $35 fee) for an event of equal or lesser value. There will be no refunds or credits given for the difference.
- Pricing – We will keep tier three pricing open through the end of June.
- Prize Money – Due to this crisis, there will be no prize money for overall winners this year.
- Spectators – We ask you to please limit the number of spectators at the event. If possible, let them know when you expect to finish so they can be there at that time.
Please understand that this is by no means a comprehensive list of the changes necessary to hold a triathlon in today’s world. We are giving you the most information possible given what we know at this time. We will be providing comprehensive documentation very soon going over everything from packet pickup through to finish line food.
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Jon & John
