UTD2020 CANCELLATION DUE TO COVID-19

Dear UTD Community,

Further to our notice yesterday of the suspension of UTD 2020, we have now taken the extremely tough decision to cancel UTD 2020 altogether. We have not taken this decision lightly and gave the only other alternative, postponement, a deep and thorough analysis. In so doing it became very clear that postponement to a later date in 2020 was not a viable option for a number of reasons.

These include, but were not limited to:

• The great unknown of when the COVID-19 crisis will pass
• Dangerous weather conditions in other months in the high Drakensberg
• The negative impact on other events with long-standing positions in the trail calendar
• The closure of Border Posts into Lesotho
• An inability to secure our UTD Race Village and venue at Sani Pass Hotel and
• The risk of further postponements if the outbreak continues deeper into the year.

Our cancellation policy will take the following structure:

• All 2020 entries will be rolled over to 2021. There will be no additional top-up or admin fee.

• One week before 2021 entries open all existing 2020 entries will be given the option to re-confirm their entry for 2021 or to accept an entry voucher

• This entry voucher will apply to the event that you were entered for in 2020. Eg UTD100. You will be able to use this voucher at any later edition of UTD if you are unable to attend in 2021. This voucher is not transferable to another runner

• There will be no top-up or admin charge even if this voucher is only used in 2023 for example.

• All apparel bought on the Race Merchandise Store will be refunded at a rate of 100% less the Quicket Admin Fee

• Unfortunately refunds for the 2020 entries are not an option due to the costs already incurred

Accommodation Policy:

The hotel and tented village was sold out for 2020, with a waiting list of runners seeking accommodation at the Race Hub.

Premier Resorts Sani Pass will take a big knock as the UTD block booking is a long weekend, as are all in the hospitality industry. Notwithstanding this, they have agreed to honour the UTD rollover to 2021 plan, as well as the April 2020 weekend if you would still like to spend the weekend in the Drakensberg. Please continue to support them during this difficult time.

Your options are:

• Retain your booking for UTD 2021, for which you have UTD entry already. There will be a 10% increase on this year’s accommodation package rates, your outstanding balance will be payable on 1 March 2021.

• Take up your April 2020 weekend at Sani Pass Hotel even though UTD will not be taking place. Premier Resorts Sani Pass will honour your booking at the UTD special pricing. You need to confirm this as your preferred choice by 15 April. If you opt for this, you will need to rebook and join the waiting list for a room for 2021.

• Refund for 2020 booking. If you would like to cancel your booking and go onto the waiting list for 2021, Runcation will refund you 90% of your full invoice.

Please let Runcation know your preferred option at https://forms.gle/P49bLb42jpqp6X6RA. On 16 April 2020, all bookings that have not indicated their preference will automatically be allocated to 1, securing the 2021 booking

Thank you all for the many positive messages of support we have received over the past 48 hours. The trail community truly consists of special people who automatically think of others in times of hardship. Let’s carry that spirit through the coming months.

Stay healthy, be careful and here’s to UTD2021!

Spurgeon Flemington,
Race Director

For reference - Our Statements leading up to the decision to cancel the race.