“The Boston Athletic Association, with our input and support, has determined that hosting the 124th Boston Marathon is not feasible this year due to public health reasons.“, tweeted the mayor Martin Walsh. “There is no way to keep the usual race format without having a large number of people crowded together.“, he added. Each year, about 500,000 spectators attend the marathon.
“While our goal and hope was to contain the virus and revive our economy, hosting this kind of event would not be responsible or realistic on September 14, or at any time this year.“, he concluded.”Our top priority remains preserving the health of the community, as well as that of our staff, participants, volunteers, spectators and supporters.“, for his part declared Tom Grilk, the general manager of this competition.
First cancellation in Boston Marathon history
It is the first time that the oldest marathon in the world, created in 1897, has been canceled. Neither the World Wars, nor the tensions within the country, nor the sometimes extreme climatic conditions had prevented its unfolding. On April 15, 2013, its 117th edition was damaged by an attack. Two bombs had exploded near the finish line, killing three people and injuring more than 250.
The two other major marathons scheduled for the United States later this year, in Chicago on October 11 and New York on November 1, are currently on hold.
The Boston Athletic Association has indicated that participants registered in the marathon will instead be able to compete in a “virtual” race, anytime between September 7 and 14. They will have to complete the distance of 42.195 km within the allotted six hours and provide proof of their timing, to validate their performance.
–
