The New York City Marathon, one of the most prestigious events on the global running calendar, has been cancelled this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, race organisers said yesterday.
The New York Road Runners (NYRR), in partnership with the mayor’s office, said the decision to cancel the world’s largest marathon was made due to novel coronavirus-related health and safety concerns for runners, spectators, volunteers and staff.
The race was scheduled to take place on Nov 1.
“Cancelling this year’s TCS New York City Marathon is incredibly disappointing for everyone involved, but it was clearly the course we needed to follow from a health and safety perspective,” said NYRR Chief Executive Michael Capiraso.
The 26.2-mile race (42km), which traverses all five boroughs of the city, routinely attracts over 50,000 runners and more than 1mn spectators.
 Former New York City Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi said the race held a special place in his heart and he was sad to hear that this year’s edition had been cancelled.
“These decisions are never easy, but keeping people healthy and safe is always the right call. I will see you in NYC for the 50th running in 2021!” Keflezighi said on Twitter.
Runners who signed up for this year’s marathon, which would have celebrated its 50th anniversary, can either receive a full refund or choose to run the race in any of the next three years.
“As the latest US major on the calendar for the year, this one stings,” former Boston Marathon winner Des Linden wrote on Twitter. “It also offers clarity for season goals and allows for patience and intelligence in mapping the way forward. It’s the right call.”
Of the six World Marathon Majors, three have been cancelled this year due to the virus with the Boston Marathon and Berlin Marathon also opting to shelve plans for their 2020 races.
The Boston Marathon, originally due to be held in April and then postponed until September, was cancelled this year for the first time in its 124-year history.
The Tokyo Marathon went ahead on March 1 with elite runners only, London was postponed to Oct 4 from April 26 and the Chicago Marathon is currently scheduled for October 11.


Berlin marathon organisers shelve 2020 race



The Berlin Marathon, one of the world’s big six races, will not take place this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers said yesterday.
The race was originally scheduled for September 26-27 but organisers had already said it could not go ahead then because of Germany’s ban on public gatherings of more than 5,000 people until October 24.
The event is one of a group of leading marathons that also includes Tokyo, Boston, London, Chicago and New York. To date, 11 world records have been set over the streets of the German capital.
Yesterday, New York also announced the cancellation of the world’s largest marathon on November 1 due to the pandemic.
“Over the past weeks, we have put a lot of commitment and effort into examining all options for holding the BMW Berlin-Marathon 2020 under the given conditions,” Berlin organisers said in a statement.
“We worked hard on the development of a hygiene concept and held countless discussions with our experts, the responsible authorities and service providers, among others.”
The statement said a comprehensive feasibility analysis showed, however, that the marathon could not be held at a later date this year either.
Weather conditions and shorter days would make it difficult and there was also uncertainty about the regulations after October.
“The question of whether athletes will be able to travel internationally again by then can also not yet be answered,” said Juergen Lock, managing director of SCC Events.
Participants will be offered a choice of repayment of the entry fee or a place in next year’s event.