Greetings!
We hope you and your families are all safe and well.
We’d like to update you on the status of Barrelman 2021 and outline our commitment to a July 1 decision date for the race.
At this time, like all mass-participation event organizers the world over, we do not know if we’ll be able to run the 2021 race. There are simply too many variables beyond our control to say with any certainty whether we can proceed or not. While this is certainly frustrating for all concerned, the health and safety of everyone involved in Barrelman is, was, and always will be our priority.
The question we are faced with today is not if the race can happen, but when we’ll know for sure if it can happen or not.
We will not wait until the last minute. Our commitment to you is to communicate our ‘go/ no-go’ decision on or before July 1, 2021. The coming three months will give us a much clearer indication of what might be possible in September and we want to help you understand some of what goes into that decision.
If the race goes ahead, everyone should have enough time to prepare (assuming you’ve all been working hard these winter months!). If it doesn’t, we are working through the permutations of a virtual event.
Please note that race registration will not open until we have made our decision.
For the curious among you, here are some of the factors playing into the decision.
Local Health Units and Gathering Limits
Key question: Will the five or six local municipalities and health units give us the permits to proceed with the race?
Over the past few years Barrelman has welcomed approximately 1,000 registered athletes and 2,000+ spectators annually. Today (March 6), the highest gathering limit for an outdoor event in Niagara Region is 25 people. We do not anticipate this situation changing drastically until mid-summer.
Beyond the gathering limits and permits, MultiSport Canada has a duty to protect the 150 to 200 volunteers that have served our races over so many years. Many of the Welland volunteers are in their 70's and 80's and are deemed to have the highest risk factor. As ambassadors of our sport, our decisions must reflect our role as a partner to the various communities that welcome all of us to their home.
Volunteers
Key Question: Given the risks how many people will actually volunteer?
As stated above it takes 150 to 200 volunteers to ensure a safe race along with adequate athlete support at key positions such as Aid Stations. In order to ensure we have enough volunteers recruiting must start in the spring. We have to consider that even by waiting until the Spring, not many would risk their health by volunteering.
International Borders
Key question: Will we be able to welcome our US and international guests?
Every year approximately 35% of you are making the journey over the border from the US. Several travel from further afield. The border is currently closed to Americans until March 21, 2021. We do not know when this will change. As Race Director, I would find it very difficult to exclude U.S. athletes.
Vaccination
Key question: What will the provincial, national and international protocols be regarding proof of vaccination?
If the vaccination programs are successful, both in Canada and the U.S., we are not sure if vaccination certificates will be required or whether we will ask for them.
A Bit Of Fun
In closing, and on a lighter note, this past week we uploaded a few hundred pictures from previous Barrelmans. We encourage you all to go back and at least enjoy the memories while we wait for new ones to be formed. Tag yourself and let people know you were there, tell us if and how you enjoyed that day. All of the pictures can be seen in the Barrelman Facebook page.
One of Ambassadors, William McAnirlin III, has also posted an invite to share your own pictures to the Barrelman Group page. We hope you join the group and post. It is also a place to share stories and support from other Barrelman athletes.
Commitment To Communication
These continue to be testing times for everyone. Unpredictability and uncertainty seem, for now, to be the only things we can rely on. MultiSport Canada is committed to communicating with you whenever we have new information or simply wish to let you know what is happening on our end. I wish I had better, clearer news.
I do hope we see you again this coming September. In the meantime, please stay safe, train hard and let's hope we get a chance to see each other and compete again at Barrelman 2021.
Stay safe and healthy,
John Salt
Race Director
