For the first time since the inaugural competition in 1897, the Boston Marathon has been cancelled.
The Boston Athletic Association has announced online that event 124th event will take place virtually.
The famous marathon was scheduled to take place on April 20th, and was later postponed to September 14th because of the coronavirus. This week’s announcement came as epidemiologists and other experts warn of a second wave of infections as the US continues to ease its lockdown measures.
Authorities explained that every participant who signed up for the run will be given a full refund, as well as an opportunity to participate in the event in a virtual manner.
This means that runners who want to participate in the competition should choose one day between September 7th and September 14th and run the full marathon (42 kilometers, or 26.2 miles) along with a proof of their time. The distance should be covered in under 6 hours for it to be recognized as an official record.
To satisfy the thirst that an incomplete marathon leaves, the Boston Athletic Association added that they will hold additional events to take place along with the race. So far, panel discussions along with appearances by previous champions have been announced.
Marty Walsh, the mayor of Boston City, admitted that it was an extraordinary decision made in a difficult time but added that the spirit of the Boston Marathon has always been overcoming the difficulties.
Explaining how the marathon symbolises the tenacity of his city and the Commonwealth, Walsh said he hoped this semi-online competition will allow more runners from around the world to join the event, as they are no longer required to be physically present in Boston.
All participants who finish the race will be given a medal, a commemorative T-shirt and a race bib according to CNN. Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker praised the city’s decision by saying it is better safe than sorry in a pandemic like this one.
Boston, and Massachusetts in general, has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus. Johns Hopkins University numbers say that the state has reported the third highest number of deaths and fifth highest number of cases.
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Replaced!