Torrential rainfall in Dunedin had washed the racetrack markings off Manor Pl before the event even began.
"It's hugely disappointing to cancel it and we really feel for the kids and the parents. But it was just too dangerous," one of the Dunedin North Rotary Club organisers, Trevor Payton, said yesterday.
The 30 would-be racers were disappointed when the event was cancelled.
"A whole lot of kids turned up and the looks on their faces ... The parents were probably even more disappointed than the kids, because usually they've helped to build the trolleys, too, and want to see how they go."
There had previously been postponements, but it was the first time in the 59-year history of the derby it had been cancelled due to bad weather, Mr Payton said.
"It's the first time we've had to cancel it completely, that I'm aware of, and there's just too much involved to postpone it until another day," he said.
"It's disappointing for us, too, because it takes us six months to organise it. We go to every household in the street to get permission and ask people to shift all their cars."
The trolley derby would "definitely" be on again next year, Mr Payton said.
