According to New York City officials and New York Road Runners, the New York City Marathon has been canceled due to health and safety concerns. The marathon was set to take place on the first Sunday in November, and is now rescheduled to Nov. 7, 2021. Registered runners will be able to request a refund or defer their entry within the next three years. There will also be the option to participate in the race virtually, with organizers releasing more details in July.
Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners, said in a statement: “Canceling 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. Marathon Day and the many related events and activities during race week are part of the heart and soul of New York City and the global running community, and we look forward to coming together next year.”
The 26.2-mile race featured a record 53,640 finishers in 2019, making it the world’s largest marathon. Last year, it attracted over 10,000 volunteers and roughly a million fans arrived to enjoy the spectacle. It has been run every year since its inception in 1970, with the exception of 2012, when it was cancelled because of heavy damage to the city following Hurricane Sandy.
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