Iceman Cometh Challenge Cancelled For 2020

The Bell's Brewery Iceman Cometh Challenge - one of the region’s top racing events - has been cancelled for 2020, a move organizers attributed to the pandemic and permitting issues.

The Festival Foundation - the nonprofit entity that manages the National Cherry Festival, Leapin’ Leprechaun 5k, and CherryT Ball Drop - took over the event in 2019. In a statement Thursday, the Festival Foundation wrote that the "Iceman Crew spent tireless hours making plans to reconfigure courses, arrange the start line so racers could social distance, develop a contactless system packet pick up and more to give you a safe race experience. Unfortunately, and understandably, we could not secure the needed permitting for the 31st edition of the Iceman Cometh Challenge. Therefore, in this unfortunate situation, and with the health and safety of the riders in mind, we must cancel the 2020 Bell's Brewery Iceman Cometh Challenge."

The Festival Foundation noted it has had to cancel all of its events for 2020, "leaving the organization with little to no income to support its day-to-day operating cost or secure the funds needed to plan for 2021. Over the last five years Iceman Cometh Challenge has given to many area organizations and funded many projects. With this in mind, we are asking you to defer registration to 2021 or donate the fee to the Iceman Cometh Challenge so we can continue to not only host events, but also give back to the community in which we operate. Any donated registration fee will be 100 percent tax deductible, we will hold your spot for 2021 (you’d still have to pay the fee), AND you will be entered in to a drawing for some cool swag."

All registered riders will receive an email with information regarding the registration. Anyone with questions or concerns can e-mail icemaninfo@iceman.com for more details.