Update – SKODA Challenge Geraardsbergen – June 6, 2021
Dear Athlete,
We would like to update you today, less than 2 months before our race, on the current situation. We are evaluating on a daily basis and will keep you updated regularly during the upcoming weeks.
We – as organization – have the best intention of keeping our race as planned on June 6, 2021. Currently we are working very hard to offer you a nice and above all safe race. Of course, our race will look different than previous editions but we are committed to provide a COVID-proof event. We will work together with stewards who will only have the task to assist our organization in organizing the COVID-proof event.
Due to all the COVID-measures we will focus on our main race: all side events will be cancelled. There will be no Womens Run, ‘Walk the Muur’, Challenge Swim or ‘3uur De Muur’ on Saturday. This year we will only organize the Middle Distance for individuals and teams. During this race, spectators will be excluded at the start, transition areas and finish area if necessary according to the COVID-measures.
Swim:
The swim remains unchanged. As in previous years, we will start at 11am on the beach area of Provincial Domain De Gavers, where athletes will come out of the water after 1.9km and immediately enter the Transition Area, T1. We’ll use a rolling start, whereby we are paying particular attention this year to the safety distance when lining up on the beach.
Bike:
The bike course is mostly unchanged. Thus, athletes depart towards Galmaarden and Herne and follow the same route as in previous years. After two passages through the city centre and over the Muur van Geraardsbergen, we ride back to Provincial domain the Gavers, where T1 also serves as T2 after the 90km bike ride.
Run:
The run course is very different to previous years. We start from T2 on De Gavers and run along the pond to the Dender. From there athletes will run two loops of 9K, mostly in nature reserve. After the second loop we run back into the Provincial domain and finish right next to the transition zone on closed terrain.
After race:
After the race everything will be a little less cosy than what you are used to. But don’t worry, we will again provide all kinds of goodies, albeit in a COVID-friendly manner. The social gathering after the race will unfortunately not be possible.
Briefings/registration/parking:
Race info and briefings will only be possible online and also the awards ceremony will not take place physically. Parking is available on a closed parking for athletes only. Registration will take place at the Provincial Domain De Gavers.
We are currently working very hard on an updated athlete’s guide, which will fully explain everything important for the race and the necessary COVID-measures. As soon as this athlete’s guide is available, we will provide it via email.
In this way we hope to offer you a perspective for further training towards our race. Of course we hope to be able to count on the necessary discipline from all our participants so that together we can ensure a safe happening of our race.
Team Skoda Challenge Geraardsbergen
