2020 Hat Head Trig cancelled

The Trig, an annual marathon event, has always been a boxing day tradition but circumstances involving COVID-19 and National Park legislation have led to the decision.

"One reason for cancellation has been COVID restrictions, the number of people we'd need to manage social-distancing and with the amount of runners we have [just wouldn't be achievable]," Hat Head Bowling Club Chairman, Andrew Mealing, told the Argus.

"Along with this, in terms of Parks and Wildlife, circumstances have changed with permits and activities and in particular with the holding of such events.

"National Parks have taken a strong stance towards ensuring people stay on the provided tracks and the trig is in breach of that."

Despite the setback, discussions between organisers and National Parks and Wildlife are progressing to ensure the 2021 Hat Head Trig can be a success.

"We are continuing to sit down and meet with National Parks and Wildlife to find a way to meet in the middle to keep the event going," Mr Mealing added.

"It's understandable these rules need to be followed because competitors running off the tracks is no different to a group riding motorbikes off track and getting fined - damage can be done and injuries are possible.

"We have to bend with the changes and work together."

Mr Mealing said National Parks and Wildlife have been great to work and communicate with and are helping the planning for next year.

"They've been fantastic - they've been fixing the track and are looking at options with organisers to come to agreement and even potentially make a trig track," he said.

"There's new National Park management legislation up for review and they've been encouraging people to go on their website and have a look."

This year's Trig event was supposed to be the 50^th year anniversary but the plan is now to hold that celebration in 2021.

"The decision now gives us time to get a plan in place - it was meant to be the 50^th anniversary this year but that'll have to be next year," Mr Mealing explained.

"It hasn't been an easy decision to make but with the short time frame to meet restrictions it just wasn't achievable.

"It's now onward and upwards for 2021."

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