“It’s a big cold snap for running. A bit disillusioned, Dominique Chauvelier will have to review his plans for the first weekend in November. The 63-year-old quadruple French champion was due to participate in his 26th consecutive New York marathon (apart from the 2012 one canceled at the last moment due to Hurricane Sandy). Because of Covid-19 and all the risks that can result from it, the organizers decided otherwise by purely and simply canceling the event on Wednesday, despite a recent start of deconfinement in the Big Apple.
Another victim of the planetary pandemic: the Berlin marathon (September 27), reputed to be one of the fastest in the world. And closer to us, the 20 km of Paris which will not take place in the fall.
“I expected it, recognizes Dominique Chauvelier about the New York marathon. For three months, it has not stopped, and it is normal. Due to mandatory health measures, it has become too complicated to manage. First, it is impossible to impose a fortnight as it is recommended. It’s just as random for the participants. People don’t want to go in a vacuum and risk losing the money they’ve invested. “
“We must not count too much on maintaining (that of) Paris”
Fifty years after its first edition, the most famous marathons on the planet should have welcomed 53,000 participants from Staten Island. They were 53,640 in 2019. Among them, about half of foreigners, more and more numerous with each edition: “For the city and the organizers, it’s also business, continues Chauvelier. The bib costs around 400 dollars (350 euros). For foreigners, it is compulsory to take a package from tour operators that includes the plane and the hotel for five days and four nights (average price: 1800 euros). On arrival, everyone is happy. “
Among the little double thousand French who had been doing it several months in advance for the occasion, Dominique Chauvelier acts as “leader” and sports coach for a third of them: “That’s all a clan that proudly wears the word France on its jersey! The day before (Friday) from the start, I traditionally take them for a jog. On Saturdays, I do a conference at the hotel with doctors and physiotherapists. Marathon runners need to be reassured. And after, I do my race! For those lucky enough to stay the following Monday, it is not uncommon for Americans to congratulate them on their T-shirts or the term finisher (finisher) is registered.
The New York organizers let it be known just after the announcement of the cancellation that they offered the possibility to those registered to be refunded their registration fees or to postpone their participation to 2021, 2022 or 2023. They also have announced that the cost of the cancellation was covered by an insurance contract.
In November 2021, nothing prevents the return of the “Grail of the marathon runner, the one you have to do once in your life”, as Dominique Chauvelier affectionately calls him. Until then, it is impossible to know which events will take place in the more or less near future: “In my opinion, we should not count too much so that Paris (scheduled for October 18, just after the Roland-Garros tennis tournament) is maintained. I think we, the runners, risk paying for this virus for more than a year… ”
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To date, the United States is the country most affected by the coronavirus in the world, with nearly 2,450,000 cases and 124,000 deaths. New York City is the hardest hit across the Atlantic with 22,000 deaths. “Canceling this year’s marathon is a huge disappointment for all involved,” admitted New York Road Runners CEO Michael Capiraso, quoted in a statement, “but that was clearly the way to go. from a health safety perspective. “
The appointment is now set for November 7, 2021.
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