The ever-popular Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge has fallen prey to Covid-19 for the second successive year.

The challenge, which consists of the Butterfield Front Street Mile, the BF&M 10K Run & Walk, and the PwC Half and Full Marathon, has long been listed as a Bermuda Tourism Authority signature event on the sports tourism calendar, attracting many overseas participants.

However, the persistence of the global pandemic has led the BTC race committee to cancel the event after consultation with the BTA, main sponsors Chubb, Butterfield Bank, Bermuda Fire and Marine and PwC, and stakeholders the Bermuda Police Service and the Ministry of National Security.

It was jointly determined by all parties to cancel the race partly because of a low sign-up of participants, particularly from overseas, with Bermuda listed as a Level 4 destination by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the race directors have decided to cancel the 2022 Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge race weekend,” said Martin Merritt, of the BTC race committee.

“The BTC race committee tried to develop lower-risk race scenarios for the event, but at the end of the day, we could not develop a foolproof plan to hold three major running races involving 1,500-plus participants, many from overseas, requiring hundreds of volunteers and support staff, without elevated risk.

“We are very disappointed to have to cancel the event for a second year in a row, but the logistics of having to hold a three-day event under these circumstances is not feasible and poses a health risk for all involved, which we believe is too great a risk to accept at this time.”

Samantha Froud, Chubb’s chief administration officer, Bermuda Operations, spoke of the company’s agreement to cancel the event with focus now turning to a return in 2023.

“Chubb is in full agreement with the BTC race committee to cancel this event, as the health and safety of our local community is of utmost importance,” she said.

“Chubb remains committed as a lead sponsor for the 2023 Bermuda Triangle Challenge event. We will now focus our energy on working with the race directors, the BTA and the other race sponsors to ensure the 2023 event is spectacular.”

Hazel Clark, the director of sales and business development at the BTA, echoed those sentiments, with the safety of the wider community paramount to the decision.

“The Bermuda Tourism Authority understands the complex interplay of factors that led the BTC race committee to make the decision to cancel the 2022 event, and we support the move,” she said.

“Ultimately, prioritising the health and safety of the participants, volunteers and our community will always be at the forefront of our decision-making.

“Though the reality is the January 2022 event will not take place as we intended, we look forward to working with the committee to plan the next race weekend when conditions allow.”

The BTC race committee has confirmed that any participants who may have already signed up to the event can take up an option to defer their entry to the 2023 Race Weekend or claim a refund.

Participants who have registered will receive an e-mail this month with details on how to defer or claim a refund.