The 2008 Great Race from New York to Paris postponed
Bill Ewing, CEO of Great Race Sports, regretfully informed participants that the Great Race 2008: New York to Paris has been postponed as the approval to travel through China has been recalled and the permits have been placed on hold.
Given the high level of enthusiasm and support demonstrated for this race, Great Race Sports owners, executives and participants are dedicated to honoring the history of this illustrious race. Great Race Sports is hard at work exploring all options to run this race in honor of the 100th anniversary.
Thank you for your continued interest in and support for the Great Race. We will be sure to offer updates as they become available.
Media Contact Information:
Mike Ewing
mike@greatrace.com
714-338-8883
April 10th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Здравствуйте!
Меня зовут Вася. я китаец,русско-говорящий гид,сводить туристов по Китаю.Мой русский друг занимается”Великая гонка 2008″по россии и сказал мне об этой гонке,мне очень интересуется.Хочу знать,вам нужны гиды в Китае сопроваждать участников,когда они проедут по Китаю.Если нужны? Я буду с удовольствием с ними вместе робатать.Я хорошо знаю Китай и много лет работаю гидом, люблю такую гонку и буду хорошо совершаю свою работу.Придумайте мое предложение.Буду ждать ваш ответ.
С уважению, Вася.
April 11th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Hi from Paris,
We just discovered your website, and decided right away to add it to our Paris-related websites Directory.
We’ll also write a short article about greatrace.com in our next ‘Lettre de Paris’ newsletter due Monday April 14th.
Congratulations for your efforts to make this GreatRace a durable adventure.
Chicline.com Team
www.chicline.com
April 11th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Hi Bill:
Under the circumstances, this may be the least of your worries at this time, but my wife and I have made vacation plans to visit Vancouver for the finish of the Race in June. Have you cancelled the North American portion along wtih the rest of the race? Please let me know ASAP because we may change our plans based on what you do (or have done).
Good luck - this must be hard.
Gary Phillips
April 11th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Please detail as available.
Ray
April 12th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Apparently, the Chinese government is revenging for the protest of the Olympic Torch Relay. I am very disappointed the Chinese government put politics into sports!!
April 14th, 2008 at 8:34 am
I fear that any attempt to reschedule portions of this Round-the-World Great Race on short notice would be a disaster. Hotel accommodations, planned events by communities hosting the stops/lunches/overnights, and fuel logistics cannot be changed to a later date yet this year.
Have the promoters considered following through as planned up to Vancouver – and then adding an optional 13 day circle event in Western Canada and/or Western US, before taking an air lift to Russia to continue with Stages 3 and 4 as currently laid out?
No doubt, many of the 31 world entrants were attracted mostly by the chance to tour China. Dropping this Second Stage would be a big disappointment and cause some to drop out. However, trying to reschedule this GreatRace 2008 for later this year, or to cancel completely, would be a financial disaster for all parties concerned.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Bob,
Thanks for your comments. We agree that trying to reschedule for later this year presents a challenge. However until we rule it out, all options are on the table as we work through the challenges. We are also considering rerouting through Vladivostok, (the original 1908 route), and/or a fly-over of China and have determined that to change the schedule, hotels etc., will make it impossible for us to guarantee the quality that we feel our participants deserve and the safety of all involved.
You are correct that the Chinese stage was most appealing. We have spent a great deal of time there and have laid out a course that takes our participants places rarely seen by western eyes. It will be a wonderful and magical experience, once we get there.
Please check back for further developments.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
So disappointing as the northeastern US leg was re-routed to go through my hometown and now all events are on hold if not cancelled. We certainly hope that you get to fulfill your dreams of celebrating the 100th Anniv of the original road race in 2008 with a repeat performance….only better!! You would think that with all of the investments that have been made in China, that the country and it’s government could be a little more accommodating to the world. Not a good way to show the world that you are ready to host millions of people at the Olympics!