CHELAN - They shelled out $89 to race in a big triathlon at Lake Chelan. But the race they entered never happened, and now they want their money back.

We first reported on the problem World Endurance Sport in late June, after a local woman who registered alerted us that the promoter did not have the required permits and the event was in jeopardy.

At that time, promoter Brent Kamenka assured me he'd have it together or people would get their money back. He said it was a matter of "politics" and that everything was on track, not only for the Chelan races, but for similar events he was advertising in Maple Valley.

The City of Chelan says despite numerous attempts to meet with Kamenka, and countless deadline extensions, Kamenka he never met the requirements to get a permit and assure the event could be held safely.

With some 2,000 participants flocking to Chelan for a 5-day event last month, the city says it worked out a last-minute deal and issued a conditional permit for the first two days.

But after the first two days of racing on July 8th and 9th, the mayor says it was so bad, the city had to pull the plug. The mayor said it was a matter of public safety.

Participants Caught Off Guard

"There was never anything on the website about it being cancelled. Ever!"

Kimberly Sheely still can't believe it. She and 9 friends registered on a Web site called "My First Triathlon", at the first of the year.

Promoter Brent Kamenka told me 2,000 people registered by late June. The races specifically target people who have never before taken part in a triathlon event.

But the City of Chelan says despite warnings all year, the promoter never came through with the necessary requirements to get a permit to hold the event. There were no adequate arrangements for flaggers and traffic control, no adequate proof of lifeguards for the swimmers -- just excuses and promises.

Sheely says after months of training and expense, she and her friends got promises too.

The 10 women were registered for the second weekend of races. Sheely said she was almost sick to her stomach when she learned the race was cancelled.

"Because he lied to us. Because he wasn't doing what he was supposed to with the city. He wasn't paying his bills, He was telling us it was on, and it wasn't," Sheely said.

"You just trust that it's gonna happen," said her friend Nancy Hudson. "It was really hard to take, because I just trusted that it was gonna take place."

Refunds Promised

During previous telephone interviews, promoter Brent Kamenka assured me people would get their money back if the race did not take place. At that time, he was also under pressure to get a permit for his advertised My First Triathlon event in Maple Valley.

A spokesman says Maple Valley put the skids on any race there, based on their difficulties with Kamenka and what was happening in Chelan.

"We arranged for our rooms and paid for that," said Sheely about their months of planning and expense. "All the equipment that we bought. You have to have special gear to wear."

The women say they've received no response to their efforts to contact Kamenka about their money.

"I e-mailed him, my husband e-mailed him, several of the girls, if not all of the girls on my team have done it- and no one has heard back one word from him," Sheely said. "All of us have emailed him about a refund and heard absolutely nothing."

That's not to say Kamenka's company is not making contact. A number of participants who paid registration fees and went to Chelan only to find there would be no race, received e-mails asking if they would like their City to host a "My First Triathlon" event.

Chelan's mayor tells KOMO 4 News some vendors who worked at Kamenka's 2005 triathlon did not get paid. Mayor Ray Witherbee said the $5,000 check Kamenka gave the city as a security deposit before the first race this year, was no good -- he had to give them a cashier's check.

Witherbee says despite Kamenka's multi-year contract with the city, between all the problems and Kamenka's track record in other cities, Kamenka, and World Endurance Sport will not be allowed to hold a triathlon in Chelan next year.

When asked what advise he'd give other cities considering a My First Triathlon, Mayor Witherbee said, "I'd tell them that the City of Chelan would recommend that they do not have a triathlon with World Endurance Sports, and that they do their homework and do some further checking- and I think they'll come to the same conclusion."

Do Your Own Homework

Due to the growing popularity of triathlon races, events are turning up everywhere. Race veterans caution beginners that just because someone promotes a big race, it doesn't mean the event will be well organized, safe and worth your money.

"Before you sign up, do your homework," said Mary Meyer, a local fitness expert whose business, Mary Meyer Life Fitness, (a href="http://marymeyerlifefitness.com/" target="_blank">marymeyerlifefitness.com) specializes in training beginners for physical challenges.

Meyer says one of the best resources is the triathlon and racing community.

"Talk to people!" she said. For starters, Meyer recommends contacting Web sites and chat lounges of local race associations such as The Seattle Triathlon Club, the USA Triathlon Association and Racecenter.com

Meyer says by tapping into the triathlon world you'll find out what's going on, and who's doing what because there's a powerful word-of-mouth network.

She also recommends publications such as Outdoor Northwest and City Sports Magazine, as good resources for first time marathon and triathlon athletes.