Six months ago, Gerry Rott had hoped that by her Oct. 31 Lavaman Triathlon date, the spread of COVID-19 would have been greatly reduced, restrictions o n gathering sizes lifted, and a vast majority fully vaccinated.
Instead, the Lavaman Triathlon founder and race director has found herself amidst a resurgence of increased COVID numbers due to the new Delta variant, forcing a decision to once again, postpone her Olympic Distance Triathlon event for a third time. The date for the next Lavaman Triathlon is now scheduled for April 3, 2022.
Rott posted an “Important Notice” to her Lavaman website on Sept. 1.
“The Lavaman Triathlon scheduled for October 31, 2021 has been cancelled [sic] due to the rapid rise in the number of COVID cases in the State of Hawaii and on The Big Island. We had applied to the County for an ‘Exemption’ to the current restrictions, but even with a detailed COVID Mitigation Plan in place, there are still strong concerns that the production of such a large-scale event could have a negative impact on the athletes, volunteers and community. Our Exemption Request from the County mandate was denied. We understand the County’s position and Lavaman would never want to be responsible for negative impacts in the community and among the athletes and volunteers. Your health and safety are extremely important to us and we are committed to keeping you as safe as possible.”
Athletes who were registered for the race also received an emailed update through Rott’s popular newsletter called, Newsflash, that further explained her application to the County of Hawaii was denied due to Mayor Mitch Roth’s Emergency Proclamation #21 and Emergency Rule #17.
“I want to thank all of you for your patience as I have tried to work towards being able to hold the Lavaman Triathlon as scheduled on October 31, 2021,” Rott said. “We had produced a detailed plan for COVID mitigation very similar to that used successfully for the Ironman 70.3 in June, which did receive the required Exemption. Unfortunately, COVID has taken a radical turn since that time and the cases in Hawaii are now higher than at any other point during the pandemic and expected to continue to rise through September and October. As detailed as the plan was, it could not guarantee the health and safety of all concerned given the ease with which the current variant of COVID seems to spread.”
Rott added she respects the County’s decision and also had doubts of holding the popular 1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run given the rapid rise in COVID cases.
“I would never want to produce an event that would in any way, jeopardize the health and safety of our athletes, volunteers and the community,” she said. “Given the current and predicted spread of COVID, I do not feel we could be assured that Lavaman would have no negative impact on the spread of COVID. Therefore, it is in the best interest of all that we look to spring of 2022 to host the next Lavaman Triathlon.”
Athletes who were registered in the October Lavaman race will automatically roll into the April 3, 2022 event and no further action is needed. Those who wish to wait and compete in the 2023 event tentatively scheduled for April 2, 2023, are encouraged to contact race organizers at lavamanreg@gmail.com.
“We know this is a disappointment to you as it is to us,” Rott said. “We have been set and ready to go for three races now that have had to be canceled. We sincerely hope that circumstances will allow the April 2022 Lavaman to proceed on schedule.
“We are currently working on a Trick or Treat Lavaman Virtual Challenge that will be at little or no cost to the 2020 and 2021 registered athletes. Hopefully, the Challenge will enable you to take advantage of your training, and to have some fun too, while receiving a commemorative shirt and medal and some prize treats as well. Registration details will be posted on the website (lavamantriathlon.com) in the near future.”