The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for sporting events of all kinds this year. Cycling is no exception. Our athletes, sponsors, spectators, and guests’ safety and well-being have always been our highest priority.
With only two months before Jingle Cross, it has become apparent that an event of the magnitude of Jingle Cross can not be held safely in early October. Therefore, Jingle Cross, Inc has decided to postpone the 2020 edition of the Jingle Cross Cycling Festival scheduled initially for October 9-11 until 2021.
At Jingle Cross, we are in a unique position with our partnership with the City of Iowa City and have enjoyed great success nationally and internationally. We also understand the challenges USA Cycling faces organizing the Cyclocross National Championships, scheduled to occur in Chicago for 2020. The City of Iowa City and USA Cycling have reached an agreement to relocate US CX Nationals to Iowa City. The venue they have selected is our Jingle Cross racecourse at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. The contract for Nationals is between Iowa City and USA Cycling. Jingle Cross assisted with those conversations, lending support to both parties as a consultant focusing on the areas of race logistics and operations.
For 2020, Jingle Cross will redirect our energy and assist our long time partners USA Cycling and Iowa City in hosting the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships. We hope to bring a bit of Jingle Cross flare to Nationals with our festive holiday theme and unique additional events such as our Gravel Grinders, Doggy Cross™ and more.
The pandemic situation is being closely monitored by all parties with close collaboration between event organizers, local and state health officials, and health care providers. If USA Cycling Cyclocross Nationals can proceed in Iowa City this December, the combined Nationals and Jingle Cross event will be done with the utmost concern for the safety of all athletes, spectators, and guests.