2020 Boston Marathon Canceled Due To Coronavirus, Will Be Held Virtually

BOSTON (CBS) – There will be no in-person Boston Marathon this year. Initially the race was moved from Patriots’ Day to September 14 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but on Thursday the event was canceled. Read: Details On Virtual Boston Marathon Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the city and Boston Athletic Association will work to hold the event virtually. “There’s no way to hold this usual race format, without bringing large numbers of people into close proximity,” said Walsh. “And while our goal and our hope was to make progress and contain the virus in recovering our economy, this kind of event would not be responsible or realistic on September 14, or any time this year.” B.A.A. CEO Tom Grilk On Virtual Boston Marathon   The race had never been canceled or rescheduled in its 124-year history until this year. The event has been modified several times, but never canceled completely. “The spirit of Boston and the spirit of the Boston Marathon is to be strong and to be smart,” said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. CEO. “When necessity drives you in a direction you may not like, you have to have the strength, the wisdom and the guidance from public officials to do what’s right.” Anyone who entered to run the Boston Marathon this year will be refunded their entry fees. Grilk said the plan for the virtual race is to reward people who run the event with participant shirts and medals like the ones that are normally given out. “...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston Marathon Boston News Closures Covid-19 Boston, MA Events Featured Health Race News Syndicated CBSN Boston Syndicated Local Coronavirus Source Type: news