June 12, 2003

I reluctantly announce that a decision has been made to postpone Desert Sun Mulitsport Festival for 2003. This decision has been a very difficult process, involving many sleepless nights and long discussions with individuals who have been loyal supporters of Desert Sun. The event has been postponed due to the following: (1) a conflict with another long course triathlon on the front range of Colorado seems to be attracting athletes that normally have participated in Desert Sun. (2) it takes a total of 125 paying long course entries for this event to break even. As of June 11, 2003 there were only 27 paying long course entrants, making it impossible to believe or even hope that there would be enough entrants to pay for the cost of the event. (3) the downturn in the economy seems to be affecting Desert Sun. (4) there are errors in advertising for the event that may be affecting the numbers of athletes.

Desert Sun Half Iron has a history of being noted as a very difficult and challenging triathlon. The event started 9 years ago with 111 entrants; in 1998 the race grew to its maximum size with over 500 athletes taking part in the triathlon. In 1998 Desert Sun Half Iron was rated as one of the toughest 20 half ironman distance races in the world. In 2000 the Desert Sun Half Iron was rated as one of the 5 most difficult events to participate in Colorado. Desert Sun Half Iron Triathlon was a one of the domestic Ironman Qualifiers in 1997 and 1998. The Desert Sun Half Iron was always a race that challenged the athlete to: TEST YOUR IRON….IN THE DESERT SUN HALF IRON.

In 2002 the event became the Desert Sun Mulitsport Festival in order to offer a short course triathlon. The addition of the shorter event was a success in 2002, but even the short course triathlon does not seem to be drawing participants in 2003 with only 26 athletes currently entered.

I assure all athletes and supporter that this decision has been very difficult, however, I want to assure everyone concerned the event is not finished, the event will return in 2004. I realize that postponement of an event is not usually healthy for the event but at this point postponement is better than cancellation and closing down the event. This gives time to resolve all the issues that have come up this summer.

Concerning entry fees paid by those of you who have entered this year's event, I will be refunding entry fees as soon as possible as completely as possible. At this point in time I have only minimal expenses that can not be refunded, permit fees and insurance for example. I have not received all entry funds as this is being written; I suspect that all funds will be in my hands within a week or so. At that time expect an announcement about the refund policy. Please be aware that the entry fees posted on the entry form are the entry fees that will be the amount we will be working with. Any fees charged by active networks is not refundable and is not part of the entry fee structure, it is their fee for providing the entry service.

I want to thank all of the loyal local supporters of Desert Sun, especially---

WESTERN ACOUSTICS, THANK YOU RICH---
BIG LEO'S CATERING, THANK YOU LEO---
HIGHLINE LAKE STATE PARK, THANK YOU CHRIS---
WHOLE IN THE WALL SHIRT SHOP, THANK YOU TARA AND CASEY---
RUNNING AND BICYCLE OUTFITTERS, THANK YOU BRAD AND CHRIS---
FUNSHARES, THANK YOU RON
GO'EL, INC, THANK YOU TOM---
THANK YOU TO THE COLORADO STATE PATROL---
THANK YOU TO WARNING LITES---
THANK YOU TO AMR---
THANK YOU TO PARTNERS FOR THEIR LOYAL SUPPORT---
THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE WORKED IN THE DESERT SUN FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS-

The Sun has set on the Desert Sun for 2003----------

Respectfully yours,
Jim Henderson