Trail marathon postponed until later in the year

The snap one-week lockdown in Canberra, which began on Thursday night, gave organisers little option but to call off this Saturday's racing.

It is hoped the event, which was cancelled last year, will be rescheduled for the second week of November, the week after the Ladysmith Duathlon.

Race director Peter Fitzpatrick said with many entrants residing in Canberra and COVID-affected Dubbo, pressing on with the event would have been dangerous and irresponsible.

But he is absolutely determined to ensure races are run in November, or risk the event potentially dropping off the annual calendar completely.

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"If we don't get it out this year, chances are it might never happen again," Fitzpatrick said.

"We just hope the Lake, Run and Ride and the Tumba Rail Trail still go ahead later this year.

"I think we had about 35 coming from Canberra and nearly ten from Dubbo.

"What the problem was is there was a few (entrants) in the Dubbo region but very close to it, and if they brought it to Wagga I'd never live with myself.

"I feel sorry for the people and businesses who benefit from the event.

"We've just got to be careful (with COVID protocols), and people probably aren't at the moment."

The event was set to be run over an alternate track this year with Livingstone shut out, while Wagga Beach and Pomingalarna Reserve are also work sites.

About 300 entrants had committed to racing the event.

"It was a good track and we were looking forward to testing it out, but hopefully we'll still get to compete in a few months," Fitzpatrick said.

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