Typically drawing around 2,500 participants, the PPP typically brings thousands of athletes and their families to Central Oregon—where currently, Bend's city manager has advised people not to visit unless necessary. In unincorporated Deschutes County—outside its cities—the county this week began barring people from renting short-term rentals, unless for reasons of health, safety or employment during the COVID-19 crisis.
"Over half our participants come from outside of Central Oregon, and traveling to Bend is just not an option right now," wrote PPP Race Director Molly Cogswell-Kelley in Thursday's release, saying that not having the event, now in its 44th year, was "beyond devastating."
Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, which puts on the race, announced today that people who had already pre-registered for 2020 could choose to roll their registration into 2021, or to donate the funds to MBSEF.
As for the SELCO Kid's Mini PPP, which would have taken place May 17, that's off too—though organizers said they may decide to hold the kids' event in September.