I’ve been busy at my day job lately and just saw the thread about Eagleman. I signed up and sent my money in for the Columbia 5150 a while ago and just recently tried to get updated information about the race and realized the site was not working and saw the news about all the problems. Anyone know if this race is still on and when/if any updated information will be provided? Besides the entry fee, I’ve also got hotel room reserved as well. Should I be looking for another race to do in May? Any info appreciated.
I suspect WTC will keep it alive. It could take time to line up a company or agreements to manage it.
I can’t imagine they’d drop it since it feeds Hyvee, which has already been a little down on numbers.
WTC will absolutely keep this race going, and will i’m sure build it from where it is. first, it’s a great race and a great property for WTC. second, it’s part of the agreement between WTC and CTA that WTC produce all this year’s calendered events. next year, maybe some changes. this year, everything’s a go. but even next year, no way this race is going away.
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WTC will absolutely keep this race going, and will i’m sure build it from where it is. first, it’s a great race and a great property for WTC. second, it’s part of the agreement between WTC and CTA that WTC produce all this year’s calendered events. next year, maybe some changes. this year, everything’s a go. but even next year, no way this race is going away.
Thanks for replies slowman and motoguy128. What would you suggest as next steps? Do you think WTC will be sending out emails (soon) to all registrants to confirm this since we are under 60 days from the scheduled date? Or, would you suggest reaching out to WTC for any feedback/information? Or just wait for another two-three weeks and hope to get something from them. Besides wondering if to schedule another event, I’ve got several friends and relatives planning on coming to this and they need to make hotel reservations. Thanks again
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if you’re registered, wait. ball’s in their court. if you’re not registered and registration isn’t open yet, keep checking back once a week or every few days.
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if you’re registered, wait. ball’s in their court. if you’re not registered and registration isn’t open yet, keep checking back once a week or every few days.
Thanks Dan. Both my sister and I registered in early February. Hopefully we’ll (and everyone else) will hear something soon.
If this race is going to go on, they better reopen registration soon or they are going to start losing entries to other races. I know several people who were always planning on signing up but hadn’t got around to it before the website went down. Setup has an oly tri in Easton, MD the same day and now they are considering signing up for that just so they know they have a race that weekend. I would consider it as well if Columbia didn’t already have my $$.
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Just checking if anyone has heard any updates to this race. I emailed WTC a few days ago but have had no response. Would like to do another event next month if this race is going to be cancelled…getting close to running out of time.
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A new Baltimore Sun article saying pretty much what we already know.
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Well, the news of the lawsuit from terminated employees was news to me. From the Baltimore Sun article:
As the two organizations finalize the deal, TriColumbia and its founder and former race director were sued last week by two former employees who claim they were wrongly fired last fall for exposing alleged improper use of association money for the founder’s personal expenses, including two houses and a Porsche.
In the suit filed in Howard County Circuit Court, Linda Congedo and John McAuliffe of West Friendship claim that “improper financial dealings” between the TriColumbia board and organization founder Robert Vigorito and his wife, Sharon, go back several years, and led eventually to an audit, dissension on the board and Vigorito’s resignation in December 2012.
Vigorito, who founded the association in 1983, said Monday he could not comment on the claims in the lawsuit and has not hired a lawyer to respond to the suit.
“We’re going to deal with it as we have to deal with it,” said Vigorito, reached in Naples, Fla. “It was pretty surprising, to say the least.”
Jennings blamed TriColumbia’s financial problems on sloppy record keeping, and increased competition from other endurance races.
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I just received some direct information about this race. Athletes should be receiving (good) news later in the week…with more official details to be published next week. Keep training!
…do we have to call it Columbia 5150?