In response to Tris4Health’s industry-leading race policies, Jon Conkling was interviewed by Triathlete Magazine to discuss “Risk-Free Racing” and the changed landscape of athlete-focused racing.
In November, the Michigan-based Tris4Health event company, known for the Grand Rapids Tri and the iron-distance Michigan Titanium, announced its “risk-free racing” policy. That means that for any of its 23 multisport and endurance events on the 2025 calendar, registered athletes can get a full refund if they cancel 60 or more days from their race. If it’s within 60 days of the race, the athlete can defer their entry and receive a voucher for the full amount paid (minus registration platform fees) to use on other Tris4Health races or merchandise.
The robust refund policy stemmed from the two owners’ experiences as triathletes before they took over the company in 2019. “We really approached the events with some fresh eyes, fresh perspectives on trying to enhance what the athlete experience was,” says Jon Conkling, Tris4Health president and co-owner. “We looked at everything through the lens of what would we like to see had we been participants at these events?”
While many races state that registration fees are non-refundable because the money is used for long-lead items like medals, shirts, and sanctioning fees, in Tris4Health’s case, most of the money isn’t spent until within 60 days of the race. Previously, the company had allowed both deferrals and transfers, and now Tris4Health believes that offering a full, no-questions-asked refund 60 days out is the first of its kind for the industry – and something that athletes will appreciate.
“We have definitely heard from other race directors that they’re not in support of what we’re doing,” Conkling says, “but we really believe that if we are as transparent with our participant base, as athlete-friendly as we possibly can be, it’s going to keep people racing with us.”