AUK have given all events the green light but judging by the current circumstances if the LEJOG AUDAX runs this year it'll now have to run as an X-rated basic event with no overnight controls because some of the controls can no longer accommodate us anyway due to the Pandemic. Many of the volunteers are understandably reluctant to attend as no one wants to social distance wearing a face mask for 2-3 days!
Scotland's current restrictions would limit the field to 50 riders however, these restrictions are due to be relaxed on 19 July. LEJOG wouldn't arrive there before 20 July so there's room for manoeuvre here but this could be extended or even tightened at anytime and what we don't want of course is to have to cull the ride halfway through.
The spread of the Delta variant in North West England is also a major concern. Visitors to Manchester and Salford are not eligible to travel to Scotland and this travel ban could be extended to Lancashire at anytime.
Nightmare at the moment but I'm confident that things will improve later this year and optimistic that next year's edition, set for 03-08 July 2022, will be a full value event and be a success.
All the 2021 entrants will be receiving emails later this week. Those that preferred to transfer over to next year (which I'm certain will go ahead as planned) will also be receiving confirmation emails.
As an aside, I'm as confident that the next event I'm organizing after LEJOG, Inverness 1200, set for 11-15 September will also be a success. Scotland plan to remove all restrictions around 09 August 2021.
Andy Corless
Organiser
LEJOG 1400 AUDAX