Boston Marathon called off

BOSTON • The Boston Marathon was cancelled for the first time in its 124-year history, officials announced on Thursday night, as the spread of the coronavirus made clear that earlier plans to postpone the race until September were too optimistic.

The race - the most prominent marathon in the United States - has been held annually since 1897, even amid the world wars, domestic tension and in snow and rainstorms.

It serves as one of the major civic events for the state and the New England region, and brings more than US$200 million (S$282 million) to the city of Boston.

But, with most experts saying mass events remain a clear danger throughout the country while the Covid-19 disease persists, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the race would not take place this year as a "traditional, one-day event".

Organisers instead intend to hold a "virtual" marathon, with participants running the 26.2 miles (42.195km) remotely.

"It's really saddening to have to largely call off what is one of the best weekends of the year in Boston. But, with (over) 100,000 people dead around the country, one could not do something as irresponsible such as the holding of a large event," said Tom Grilk, chief executive of the BAA.

The Boston Marathon, originally scheduled for April 20, was initially postponed in March and rescheduled for Sept 14.

But as the severity of the pandemic grew, it became clear that September was not realistic for a race that regularly brings hundreds of thousands of people together.

"While our goal and our hope is to make progress in containing the virus and recovering our economy, this kind of event would not be responsible or realistic on Sept 14 or any time this year," Walsh tweeted.

The crisis has brought the sports world to a halt, and leagues and events coming back to play are largely doing so without fans.

The Boston Marathon has a field of 30,000 runners and a strong elite field that includes many international runners.

Hundreds of thousands of fans cheer on the sides, and thousands of volunteers ensure a smooth race.

In a statement, Desiree Linden, the 2018 women's champion, said the cancellation was "definitely disappointing news, but certainly not surprising".

The cancellation of the Boston race has heightened uncertainty surrounding the rest of the racing season.

The London Marathon, another race among the six Abbott World Marathon Majors, has been postponed from its original run date of April 26 to Oct 4.

The Berlin Marathon, set for late September, will not take place on that date, though organisers have yet to announce a cancellation.

With the Boston Marathon axed, the question now is whether Major marathons will take place in Chicago in October or in November in New York, which holds the country's largest marathon.

NYTIMES