The National Park Service has denied the D.C. Triathlon’s application for a permit, forcing organizers to cancel the event entirely.
The event, which has been held in D.C. since 2010, was set to take place June 17. But Park Service policy prohibits footraces during June because races require road closures and impede tourists during one of the busiest times of the year on the National Mall.
NPS has granted the triathlon an exception for the past two years, superintendent Bill Vogel said. But this year, the Park Service is expecting more tourists in town to see the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and closing roads in the area for the triathlon would make it almost impossible for visitors to access the memorial, Vogel said.
“We understand the disappointment of those who planned to participate in the triathlon, but it is our responsibility is to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our visitors,” Vogel said.
The 2,000 athletes who had planned to participate in the race can request a refund or can transfer their registration to another triathon before March 28 via the triathlon’s website.
