The Macpac Motatapu event has been cancelled for 2021 following the government’s announcement to raise the alert level on Saturday evening (February 27).

Auckland moved to alert level three from 6am today (Sunday February 28) for seven days, while the rest of New Zealand moved to alert level two, following new community cases of Covid-19 in Auckland.

Motatapu event owners Gemma Peskett and Craig Gallagher said in a statement they have been working through multiple scenarios since the announcement and have made the “incredibly disappointing” decision to cancel the event. 

“Our competitors are our top priority and their health and wellbeing has been the number one factor in this decision. We realise that this decision will affect all our athletes who have put in countless hours training and appreciate and share their disappointment,” they said.

“Although we are incredibly disappointed to have had to cancel we know it is the socially responsible thing to do and the only viable option for the event…”

The statement said organisers had previously investigated running the event with groups of 100 but realised it was not feasible across four different courses to ensure the groups did not mix. 

“We would need to remove all aid stations and this compromises athletes safety and thus our safety management system. We have a responsibility to manage the safety of everyone out on our race course, including our medics, volunteers and staff, as well as competitors,” they said.

Postponement to Sunday March 7 or a later date was not financially viable, they said, with some key operational services unable to be changed as well as weather considerations for later dates and the safety of people out in the backcountry. 

A 60 per cent refund will be offered to competitors, or a full transfer to 2022 event (which will be on March 5, 2022). 

The organisers confirmed they have incurred costs around staffing, consents and permits, registration fees, medals, accounting and legal fees, marketing, advertising and signage.

PHOTO: Macpac Motatapu