The Washington D.C. Triathlon has been canceled after the National Park Service denied permits to run portions of the race on federally-owned land, event organizers say.

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This year's event, which was scheduled for June 17, was planned to run on various pieces of property managed by the Park Service, including the National Mall and Rock Creek Park.

Bob Vogel, the Superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks for the NPS, says that the triathlon's organizers were informed in February that their permits would be denied for, among other reasons, a prohibition of foot races during the month of June.

The policy to prohibit footraces during this busy period, which require numerous road closures, was enacted because of the adverse effect on our visitors," Vogel said in a statement.

Exceptions had been granted for the past two years to run the D.C. Triathlon on federal land.

The triathlon's website is offering refunds for participants who have already signed up through March 28. Racers also have the option to transfer their registration to their choice of six other races, including the Nation's Triathlon and the Virginia Beach Rock n' Roll half marathon.