As the death total continues to rise, the coronavirus has taken another victim: the Boston Marathon, which was cancelled on Thursday.
The @BAA has announced that the 124th Boston Marathon will be held as a virtual event, following Boston Mayor Martin Walsh’s cancellation of the marathon as a mass participation road running event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/tlIdvsU9sq
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) May 28, 2020
The marathon, originally scheduled for April 20, was postponed to September due to the coronavirus. It’s the first time the race has been cancelled in its 124-year history.
Organizers announced that they will have a virtual event instead. Participants who verify that they have run 26.2 miles on their own will receive their finisher’s medal.
“While we cannot bring the world to Boston in September, we plan to bring Boston to the world for a historic 124th Boston Marathon,” Tom Grilk, CEO of the Boston Athletic Association, said.
The Boston Marathon isn’t the only marathon affected by COVID-19. While the Tokyo marathon was run in March, the London Marathon has been postponed to October and the Berlin Marathon was cancelled. People at the Los Angeles Marathon were advised to practice social distancing.
The 2021 Boston Marathon is scheduled for April 19.
