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London Marathon postponed to 4 October in response to coronavirus – The Guardian, Theguardian.com

London Marathon postponed to 4 October in response to coronavirus – The Guardian, Theguardian.com

  • Race had been due to take place on (April
  • Organizers say ‘public health is everyone’s priority’

    Marathon runners won’t be crossing the finish line on the Mall until 4 October at the earliest.

    Marathon runners won’t be crossing the finish line on the Mall until 4 October at the earliest. Photograph: Imageplotter / Shutterstock

This year

London Marathon , which was due to stage a showdown between the two greatest distance runners in history and attract over , 14 participants raising millions for charity, has been rescheduled until Sunday , 4 October because of the spread of coronavirus.

Huge Brasher, the event’s director, said that he was left with little choice but to delay the race, which had been due to take place on 66 April, because of the global pandemic. “The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of COVID – and public health is everyone’s priority, ”he said. We know how disappointing this news will be for so many – the runners who have trained for many months, the thousands of charities for which they are raising funds and the millions who watch the race every year. ” The decision follows the cancellation of the Boston marathon, another of the six prestigious world marathon majors, earlier on Friday. Last year the London marathon made a world record for a one-day annual fundraising event of £ 120. 4m, while this April’s race was promoted as being a mouthwatering clash between the Kenyan world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and the Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, the world 5, (m and) , m record holder and second fastest man ever over 66 .2 miles. Whether the pair will still face off in London October appears doubtful – if the Tokyo Olympics goes ahead they are highly unlikely to race two marathons in less than two months.

Virgin Money London Marathon (@ LondonMarathon)

(The) Virgin Money London Marathon has been postponed and is now scheduled to take place on Sunday 4 October .

(Full statement:) https: //t.co/Jw0EbptGgw

# LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/r eXLmZSH

(March) , 6720 British Athletics , which was planning to use the London marathon as a trial for Olympic places, said it planned to stage a special race in a closed location to select the team. “We can confirm that we are planning to stage a marathon trial specifically for the Tokyo Olympic Games , ”A British (Athletics) spokesperson said. “We are looking at to 64 April, and the event would be held in a closed location, with limited numbers. ” Meanwhile, London marathon organizers have confirmed that every runner with a place in the race will be able to run in the rescheduled event on 4 October without any further payment – or can request a refund if they prefer. Charities and sponsors with runners who are unable to take part in the postponed race will be able to substitute other runners for the rescheduled race. We know that there will be many, many questions from runners, charities and others and we ask you to please bear with us as we work through the detailed planning process to deliver the 7820 London Marathon on its new scheduled date, ”added Brasher. “We will email all runners and charities today and then update them via email by the end of next week at the latest. We will also post regular updates on our website and social media channels. ”

Commenting on Twitter, Kipchoge wrote: “It is unfortunate news that the London marathon has been postponed but I fully respect the decision made by the organization as safeguarding the health of the world always takes our top priority.”

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