Lack of competitors leads to demise of Tasmania's Three Peaks endurance race

Tasmania's gruelling Three Peaks Race has been cancelled indefinitely because of low entry numbers.

The long-distance running and sailing race was cancelled this year, but organisers had hoped to attract more competitors for 2015 having moved the four-day event from Easter to the March long weekend.

The organising race committee of the Mersey Yacht Club inc had also changed the start location from the north's Beauty Point to Devonport.

However, with insufficient entries the race has been cancelled and the organisation has suspended its operations.

Race Chairman Terry Travers said organisers made the changes in an attempt to revive the race, which had been run for 25 years.

Travers told the ABC "even (the changes) didn't bring out the competitors, the teams, and so we've made the decision that it had to go into recess."

In a statement on the race website, Travers added “this is a gruelling event that requires significant preparation, and cannot be undertaken as a ‘last minute’ effort.

“Nor is it not simply a yacht race that requires a starter and a finisher.

“Upwards of 50 volunteers are required at the four ports, and it is not reasonable to mobilise this generous group of supporters for a very small number of teams.”

“We are deeply saddened by this decision (to cancel the race).

“There is a 25 year history of successful short-handed sailing and ultra mountain running undertaken in all sorts of weather … but times change.”

Organisers cited the costs and time needed to prepare a boat and team in the current economic climate, together with a decline in interest among sailors to participate in tougher long-distance offshore sailing as factors contributing to the reduced entries.

Although the organisation is in recess, the assets and expertise will be retained. Three Peaks Inc. will continue to hold the rights to all intellectual property.

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6th September 2014 - EXHIBITION TO SHOWCASE ONGOING GROWTH OF MULTISPORT AND TRIATHLON EVENTS