• Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Verizon New York City Triathlon has been canceled for the second year in a row.
  • Instead, the event has been turned into a virtual duathlon, which athletes can complete from July 11 to July 19.
  • Anyone who wants to participate can register for the event between July 10 to July 19.

The Verizon New York City Triathlon has been canceled for the second year in a row because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Last year’s event was canceled due to a dangerous heat wave in New York City.

But this year, not all is lost for those signed up to participate in the Olympic-distance triathlon. In its place, athletes can participate in a virtual duathlon—two running legs and one bike leg. Participants can complete the virtual race between Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 19.

To make it a duathlon, the 1500-meter swimming leg has been replaced with a one-mile running segment, making the event a one-mile run, a 25-mile bike, and a 6.2 mile run.

Those who were signed up for the 2020 triathlon have three options, which must be made by July 11:

  • Complimentary deferral to the 2021 race—scheduled for July 11—or the ’22 race. This option also includes complimentary access to the 2020 Virtual Duathlon.
  • Donate the entry fee to the New York City Schools’ food program through the Life Time Foundation, receive a guaranteed entry into next year’s race, and get access to the 2020 Virtual Duathlon.
  • Receive a full race refund, minus processing fees. This option does not come with complimentary access to the virtual duathlon.

The virtual duathlon is not limited to those who were signed up for the original 2020 event. Anyone who wants to participate can register for the event between July 10 and 19 for an entry fee of $55.

“The safety of our athletes, volunteers, race officials, and spectators remains our top priority and we feel that the timing is not right to gather more than 2,500 athletes to the swim start on July 19. While it is unfortunate that these terrific competitors will not be swimming, biking, and running through the heart of Manhattan, we are excited to see them compete against each other virtually. It’s going to be a fun, interactive and safe racing experience,” Nicole Bostick, Associate Marketing Director at Life Time, said in a press statement.

The duathlon is broken into three levels:

Ultimate Challenge: Compete all legs back-to-back, as a traditional duathlon. Athletes must submit results of each leg upon completion, and can do so any time between July 11 and 19. In order to be eligible for prizes, results must be submitted by July 19.

Intermediate Challenge: Complete each leg individually during the specified time frames, submitting results following the completion of each leg.

  • One-mile run: July 11 to 13
  • 25-mile bike: July 14 to 16
  • 6.2-mile run: July 17 to 19

Basic Challenge: Athletes can compete each leg and submit results any time between July 11 and July 19.

Once participants have completed the challenge and submitted their result, they will receive a custom face mask and finisher medal. The overall top male and female winners will receive a SUUNTO watch and guaranteed complimentary entry into their choice of select 2021 Life Time Events. Each age group winner will receive guaranteed entry and 50 percent off the registration fee of one select 2021 Life Time Event.

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Jordan Smith
Digital Editor
Jordan Smith is a writer and editor with over 5 years of experience reporting on health and fitness news and trends. She is a published author, studying for her personal trainer certification, and over the past year became an unintentional Coronavirus expert. She has previously worked at Health, Inc., and 605 Magazine and was the editor-in-chief of her collegiate newspaper. Her love of all things outdoors came from growing up in the Black Hills of South Dakota.