Boston Marathon delayed until September as a result of of coronavirus outbreak
The Boston Marathon will be postponed until the fall, race organizers announced Friday.
The nation’s longest continuously running marathon, the Boston Marathon takes place on Patriots Day – the third Monday of April, every year. But the 2020 version will be an exception due to the coronavirus pandemic that has forced sports organizations and leagues throughout the world to alter schedules and plans to combat the spread of the disease.
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, along with marathon officials, said Friday the race will no longer take place on April 20 and will instead be pushed back until Monday Sept. 14.
"Our priority right now is making sure the health and safety of the runners, of the fans, of the medical personnel, first responders, residents of the Commonwealth, visitors from across the country and visitors from across the world," Walsh said.
Walsh also discouraged runners from running the marathon route on April 20, despite training in anticipation of that date.
A field of 31,000 runners is expected for the 124th running of the marathon, which draws about a third of its runners from outside the United States. It is the first delay in the history of the race.
"The marathon is Boston and is all of us standing here today," Walsh said. "It connects us."
The New York City Half, was called off Tuesday, and other marathons, such as ones in Seoul, Rome, Paris and Milan have been postponed or canceled.
Contributing: Roxanna Scott, Paste BN