Organizers of a popular North Fork triathlon that won’t be allowed next year under the town board’s new ban on events on town roads between June 1 and October 1 were in Greenport yesterday, presenting Community Action of Southold Town with a check for $10,000.
The check was presented by the organizers of EventPower, which present the Mighty North Fork Triathlon; the funds were raised at the 2015 event.
The event, however, will not be allowed next season after the Southold Town board voted to ban bike and 5K events from June 1 to November 1, with an eye toward public and traffic safety on increasingly congested roads during those months.
Organizers of the event hope the board will reconsider: “The triathlon is a great way to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. The Mighty North Fork Triathlon has been a main event on Long Island, running for 18 years,” said Vicki Ventura of EventPower. “The race raises funds to benefit CAST and donating $10,000 to CAST helps the community at large. We are proud of the amount raised and we are hopeful the Town Board will see the positive in this event and not ban events from June 1 to November 1.”
She added that changing the month, July, when the event normally takes place is not an ideal option. “This is a beginner tri and July is the best time for this event, as it allows athletes to train for it throughout the beginning of the summer.”
Ventura feels the vent is a win-win for all. “Events bring people to the towns to spend money in local businesses, fill up hotels and rent houses from community members. Participants spend the weekend at the wineries and bring their families to the events. Having a ban on all events throughout the summer months will not only affect the triathlon community, but the community at large, including business owners and especially CAST and those who need the assistance CAST can provide with an additional $10,000.”
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the Mighty North Fork Triathlon is “a well-run and popular event. I will be very happy to see the event continue. Unfortunately, the new policy has to be applied across the board and we simply can’t carve out exceptions for the events we like. However, I am hopeful that they can make the new dates work and continue to hold the event in Southold.”
He added that the town has been discussing the possibility of continuing the event with organizers. But, he said, “They do not believe that the allowable dates would work because of the need for participants to access the water as part of a three-stage event.”
Participants in the triathlon bike, run and swim and, Russell said, “I do not know if they plan on modifying the event” or restructuring it, to fit the new town policy.
During past discussions on the the town’s ban on for-profit events on town roads, which was the first to be put in place, before this year’s new ban on all events from June through November, CAST representatives have said the funds are greatly appreciated to help those in need on the North Fork. In addition, many town residents have implored the board to allow the triathlon, which they said helps to promote exercise and a healthy lifestyle in Southold.
