NEW YORK: Two of the world’s six elite long-distance races have become the latest victims to fall to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon, the world’s largest marathon, set to take place on November 1, and the BMW Berlin Marathon 2020, scheduled for September 27, stand canceled.
New York Road Runners (NYRR), the event organiser, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of the City of New York, have made the decision to cancel the race due to coronavirus-related health and safety concerns for runners, spectators, volunteers, staff, and the many partners and communities that support the event.
The Berlin Marathon organisers issued the following statement on their decision to cancel: “As hard as we have tried, it is currently not possible to organize the BMW Berlin Marathon with its usual Berlin charm. Fun, joy, health and success are attributes that characterize the BMW Berlin Marathon, but we are not able to guarantee all of this at the moment. Your health, as well as all of our health, is our first priority. Therefore, taking into account the Containment Measures Ordinance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its latest update on June 17, 2020, the BMW Berlin Marathon 2020 will not be able to take place on September 26-27, 2020. Furthermore, it will also not be possible – after extensive examination and various discussions, also with the authorities – to hold the event at a later date this year.
In a related development, New York mayor Bill de Blasio said: “While the marathon is an iconic and beloved event in our city, I applaud New York Road Runners for putting the health and safety of both spectators and runners first.
“We look forward to hosting the 50th running of the marathon in November of 2021.”
Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners added: “Canceling this year’s TCS New York City Marathon is incredibly disappointing for everyone involved, but it was clearly the course we needed to follow from a health and safety perspective.
“Marathon Day and the many related events and activities during race week are part of the heart and soul of New York City and the global running community, and we look forward to coming together next year.”
This year’s marathon was set to be the 50th running of the event, which began in 1970 and has grown to become the world’s largest marathon with 53,640 finishers in 2019.
Runners registered for the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon and others from around the world will be invited to participate in the third annual TCS New York City Marathon – Virtual 26.2M taking place from October 17 through November 1. Further details on the virtual marathon will be shared in July.
In addition to the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon, the 2020 Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K on October 31 has also been canceled. NYRR had previously canceled all in-person events and programs through August 15. In the days and weeks ahead, NYRR will continue to work closely with government officials regarding the status of other in-person events and programs in 2020, with the likelihood of additional cancellations to be announced this summer.
The 50th running of the TCS New York City Marathon will now take place on November 7, 2021.
