When Boulder County Public Safety officials mandated that Sunday’s Boulder Peak Triathlon be cancelled because police, fire and emergency services resources were mobilized to fight the nearby Cold Springs Fire, some 850 registered entrants had to pack up and go home.

But it was not a total loss.

Life Time Fitness has offered the following to disappointed triathletes:

- Defer entry to the July 9, 2017 Boulder Peak Triathlon free of charge;

- Transfer his or her entry to one of four remaining 2016 Life Time Triathlon Series events: the August 27 Life Time Tri at Maple Grove (MN); the August 28 Transamerica Chicago Triathlon; the September 18 Life Time Tri Tempe (AZ); or the September 26 Mack Cycle Escape to Miami Triathlon.

Because it was sold out, the Life Time Tri Series July 24 event in New York City was not offered as a transfer alternative for the Boulder Peak registrants.

Life Time Fitness has set the deadline for all deferrals and changes at 11:59 pm on August 26.

Scott Hutmacher, brand manager for the Life Time Tri Series, said Life Time Fitness also offered the 200 Boulder Peak relay entrants the option of changing to individual entries.

“Because the Boulder Peak Triathlon changed hands the last few years [it was sold to Ironman and then to Life Time Fitness] athlete demand has decreased,” said Hutmacher, referring to the drop from 2,000-plus entries to under 1,000. “Part of our job was to enhance an amazing event at an incredible destination with a great history. We want to inspire people to take part in a life enhancing event at whatever level of skill and experience and keep alive the legacy of this 25-year-old event.”

Another casualty of the cancellation was an innovative $25,000 purse made available to all comers for men’s and women’s relay teams. The men’s and women's relay purse allocated $8,000 each for the winning teams, $3,000 for 2nd and $1,500 for 3rd place.

“Because Boulder is a mecca for international triathletes, we had a powerhouse field that included pros like Cameron Dye, Matt Chrabot, Alicia Kaye and many others who live and train here during the summer,” said Hutmacher. “In fact they were attending a pro meeting Saturday afternoon when we received word from the Boulder County Sheriffs that the support of police, fire and safety resources had been withdrawn to fight the fire.”

Hutmacher said that Life Time Fitness intends to offer the $25,000 relay teams purse next year at Boulder Peak.

By Monday afternoon, the Cold Springs fire had burned more than 600 acres. Some 2,000 people had been evacuated and five homes plus outbuildings have burned. There are 155 firefighters battling the blaze assisted by dozens of other crews.

Two men from Alabama are being held in Boulder County Jail for their alleged role in starting the fire.