Just days after the inaugural Ironman triathlon in the New York-New Jersey area, registration for the 2013 edition of the race has been suspended, according to a statement from World Triathlon Corporation, which has refunded fees to early registrants.
Although many athletes praised the triathlon, the first Ironman race in the New York City metropolitan area, World Triathlon Corporation said a number of participants said the logistics of the race need improvement.
"Producing an event in a large urban market is complex and challenging," the company's statement said. "The combination of the ferries, transition in Palisades State Park, an inability to have amplified sound in Riverside Park after 10 p.m. and the difficulty for our spectators to watch much of the race all combined to create an athlete and spectator experience that we need to improve."
The race featured a 2.4-mile swim in the Hudson River, a 112-mile bike ride along the Palisades Interstate Parkway in New Jersey and New York, and a 26.2-mile run over the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan, ending in Riverside Park.
"Addressing the logistical complexity requires us to reconfigure a number of elements in our race," the statement said. "Given the changes we believe are necessary for the 2013 event, we need to do more work to assess whether it is viable at a price point that our athletes find reasonable."
World Triathlon Corporation said it traditionally opens registration for the following year the day after a race to allow certain athletes and volunteers to gain guaranteed entry before general registration opens.
"In retrospect, it was a mistake," WTC said. "We should have taken the time to listen to our athletes, partners and municipalities before we opened registration."
The company said it would work with partners and officials with the affected municipalities to see if staging another Ironman in the area is feasible.
More than 2,500 athletes participated in August 11's Aquadraat Sports Ironman U.S. Championship.
Jordan Rapp, a winner of several Ironman titles, won the men's race. Mary Beth Ellis was the top woman finisher.
One triathlete, Andy Naylor, a 43-year-old police officer from Hong Kong, experienced distress during the swim and later died at a hospital.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:55 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:55:22 GMT
The New York Yankees are going into the soccer business.
The New York Yankees are going into the soccer business. The Yankees are partnering with Manchester City to own Major League Soccer's 20th team, which will be called New York City Football Club and plans to start play in the 2015 season.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 AM EDT2013-05-21 09:53:31 GMT
Jay Bruce hit a tiebreaking homer and drove in two runs to back Johnny Cueto's wild but effective return from the disabled list, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 4-3 Monday night.
Jay Bruce hit a tiebreaking homer and drove in two runs to back Johnny Cueto's wild but effective return from the disabled list, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 4-3 Monday night.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:05:15 GMT
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
Monday, May 20 2013 3:36 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:36:09 GMT
AP photo
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez started his third week of on-field work by adding defensive drills and hitting in a cage. The 37-year-old, recuperating from left hip surgery on Jan. 16, fielded grounders
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez started his third week of on-field work by adding defensive drills and hitting in a cage. The 37-year-old, recuperating from left hip surgery on Jan. 16, fielded grounders
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:06:52 GMT
Johnny Boychuk broke a tie midway through the second period, and the Boston Bruins scored two goals in the third to beat the New York Rangers 5-2 on Sunday
Johnny Boychuk broke a tie midway through the second period, and the Boston Bruins scored two goals in the third to beat the New York Rangers 5-2 on Sunday
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:37 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:37:47 GMT
Lance Stephenson scored nine of his playoff career-high 23 points during a late 11-2 run Saturday night, leading the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks, 106-99 and into the Eastern Conference finals
Lance Stephenson scored nine of his playoff career-high 23 points during a late 11-2 run Saturday night, leading the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks, 106-99 and into the Eastern Conference finals
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:43 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:43:03 GMT
RICHARD ROSENBLATT, AP Sports Writer BALTIMORE (AP) — Right from the start, a horse trained by one not so over-the-hill Hall of Famer and ridden by another took control of the Preakness. The result:
RICHARD ROSENBLATT, AP Sports Writer BALTIMORE (AP) — Right from the start, a horse trained by one not so over-the-hill Hall of Famer and ridden by another took control of the Preakness. The result:
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:55:54 GMT
Robinson Cano hit a pair of two-run homers to back a solid effort by David Phelps, and New York beat the Toronto Blue Jays for the ninth straight time at Yankee Stadium, 7-2 Saturday.
Robinson Cano hit a pair of two-run homers to back a solid effort by David Phelps, and New York beat the Toronto Blue Jays for the ninth straight time at Yankee Stadium, 7-2 Saturday.
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Former U.S. Open champion Ken Venturi has died just 12 days after he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He was 82.
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Ken Venturi, who overcame dehydration to win the 1964 U.S. Open and spent 35 years in the booth for CBS Sports, died Friday afternoon. He was 82.
