The largest marathon in the world, the New York Marathon, scheduled for November 1, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, announced the New York Road Runners association, which is organizing the event.
This is the second time that the cross-country race has been canceled, after the 2012 break after Hurricane Sandy.
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“A huge disappointment”
“Canceling this year’s marathon is a huge disappointment for all involved,” commented New York Road Runners CEO Michael Capiraso, quoted in a statement, “but that was clearly the way forward. with a view to health security. “
New York was by far the city in the world most affected by Covid-19, which has caused more than 22,000 deaths.
Possibility to be reimbursed or to postpone participation
The organizers will offer the possibility to registrants to have their registration fees reimbursed or to postpone their participation to 2021, 2022 or 2023.
“I applaud the decision of the New York Road Runners to make the health and safety of spectators and runners a priority,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said in the statement.
The 50th edition of the New York Marathon, which has existed since 1970, will therefore take place on November 7, 2021. In 2019, 53,640 people crossed the finish line of the American long-distance race, a record.
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No race in Berlin either
In the wake, Wednesday, the Berlin marathon also announced that it gave up organizing its event in 2020.
The race was scheduled for September 27, but the German government has indicated that no event with more than 5,000 people will be held until October 24.
Since 2003, all world records have been achieved on the Berlin course, which is flat and particularly favorable. The current world record belongs to Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, 2 h 01 m and 39 seconds, and dates from September 2018.
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