With the current weather pattern causing havoc across many States of Australia, AROC Sport has made an early decision on their upcoming race in the ACT. News both good and bad has come in from event organisers of the Capital Punishment MTB Enduro.
Firstly, the route through the Defence land has changed: “We have a great new route through the Defence land. For those who have done the event previously the long, tiring, horrible section through the paddocks has gone. For those new to the race – you will be pleased you’ll never have to experience it!” Many wrists, lower backs, and minds will be rejoicing at that news.
Secondly, the Capital Punishment race has been postponed from the 17th March until further notice.
“Currently the Molonglo River Bridge is impassable due to huge piles of trees from flood debris and will be closed at least until the end of March. Much of Kowen Forest is now a lake, Majura Pines is boggy to say the least and Mt Stromlo mountain bike tracks are closed until next Tuesday 13 March. All events within Canberra Nature Parks and Forests prior to next Tuesday have been cancelled. The closure status will be reviewed next Tuesday. With the forecast for continuing rain next week it is unlikely that the mud and new ponds and rivers throughout the course will have any chance of drying significantly even if areas are reopened for events. There is a significant chance that these large sections of the course will remain closed into next week and for the event day. The decision to close areas by the relevant land holders is not taken lightly and is extremely rare. We have worked closely with all landholders and they have done, and are doing, everything possible to make this and all events able to take place. However in this instance the environmental damage that would be caused and the large chance of unsafe sections of tracks have made the restrictions absolutely necessary.”
All is not lost though, as plans are being made to re-schedule the race in the not too distant future.
“We are looking at a new date in late April and hope to have this confirmed in the next day or so. If we are able to secure this date in April with land holders, other event clashes etc, the Crowne Plaza has indicated that those people that have booked with them will be able to transfer their accommodation to the new date.”
Check back to MarathonMTB.com for further updates, and confirmation of a new date. And with plenty of other races coming up, find some dry land to train on.