WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The annual New York City Triathlon tournament to be held on Sunday has been canceled with temperatures and humidity expected to be beyond safe racing conditions, local media reported on Friday.

"This difficult decision was made following a comprehensive review and, ultimately, with the goal of prioritizing the safety of everyone participating in or otherwise involved with the execution of the event," the organizers said in a statement.

Temperatures are expected to be soaring on Sunday, and an excessive heat warning is in effect for the city from Friday to Sunday. The organizers estimated that 4,000 people had registered for the race, including 1,000 athletes from out of town. The athletes will be refunded their registration fees automatically in two to three weeks, the organizers added.

This is the first cancellation of the triathlon event, which was founded in 2001.

The organizers said that the annual endurance race would still be held in July in future because traffic and river conditions have been optimal then.