The New York Marathon, originally scheduled for November 1, was canceled Wednesday due to the coronavirus pandemic, announced the New York Road Runners association, which is organizing the event.
This is the second time that the world’s most popular cross-country race has been canceled, after the 2012 break after Hurricane Sandy.
The canceled edition should have been exceptional, as it was the 50th New York Marathon, created in 1970.
“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 from the point from a health security perspective. “
New York has been by far the city in the world most affected by Covid-19, which has caused more than 22,000 deaths.
The organizers will offer the possibility to those registered to be reimbursed for their registration fees or to postpone their participation to 2021, 2022 or 2023.
“I applaud the New York Road Runners’ decision to make the health and safety of spectators and runners a priority,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said in the statement.
Although far from the most competitive in terms of times achieved, due to a difficult course, the New York Marathon is the most popular annual cross-country race in the world.
During the 2019 edition, he broke the record for the number of participants who crossed the finish line of a marathon, with 53,640 runners.
Contacted by AFP, NYRR vice-president in charge of media, Chris Weiller, said that before the cancellation, the organization was counting on “more than 53,000” runners to finish this year, including around 25,000. come from abroad.
The 50th New York Marathon is now scheduled for November 7, 2021.
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