(Update: Adding video, Cogswell-Kelly comment)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, a nonprofit entity that owns and operates the SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle, has made the decision to cancel the event for a second year in a row, organizers announced Wednesday.
The event has been held the third week in May in Bend for 43 years.
“Out of abundance of caution, we believe it is appropriate to postpone the SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle until May 21, 2022, Race Director Molly Cogswell-Kelley said in the announcement. Over half of the participants travel from outside of Central Oregon to compete in the event. Even with limiting participation, we believe the race would be extremely hard to produce given the current state guidelines.”