07/12/2021
Stockton Lake Wildlife Challenge will NOT take place in 2021.
The triathlon committee met Thursday, July 8 to make the final decision whether to hold the event or not. The largest factor in the determination to not go forward is emergency medical services. Citizens Memorial Healthcare employees contract with Cedar County for ambulance services. Because of the rise in numbers of COVID-19, ambulance service personnel, at any time, could be prohibited from being on-scene at the event, as was the case last year. The committee feels it is imperative EMS be on the event grounds as the safety of the participants is our first priority.
Cedar County's COVID-19 cases have been increasing daily with 15 new COVID-19 cases reported since June 25, 2021. The new cases bring the total number in Cedar County throughout the pandemic timeline to 1,233.
Several surrounding counties have been designated βredβ zones and word from emergency management is there is a possibility of mask mandates, again.
We are in communication with the timing company checking on availability for August 2022 dates. When those are confirmed, we will let everyone know.
The committee is as deeply disappointed with this turn of events as we are sure are some of the participants. We dislike trying to operate and plan events in this uncertain environment for public safety. We thought we would be OK this year and two weeks ago were going ahead with a date in September. Within two weeks, our situation changed dramatically and had to be reevaluated. There was a huge question mark as to what would change in two months.
The Stockton Lake Triathlon committee want you to know β the participants who support our event are extremely important to us, and your health and safety are first and foremost our determining factors.
Let's hope for better times next year.