The London Marathon is the latest event to be moved because of public health concerns.
We’re in for a lot more of this sort of news over the next few days, I’m afraid. Shortly after it was confirmed that the Mayor of London elections have been pushed back to next May, it’s been announced that the London Marathon will also be postponed – for the first time in its history.
The 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon has been postponed and is now scheduled to take place on Sunday 4 October 2020.
Full statement: https://t.co/Jw0EbptGgw#LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/r18eXLmZSH
— Virgin Money London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) March 13, 2020
Due to take place on April 26th, the London Marathon will now be moved, for the first time since it began in 1981. Announcing the news, event director Hugh Brasher said “The world is in an unprecedented situation, grappling with a global pandemic of Covid-19, and public health is everyone’s priority”. As a result, the Marathon will shift to later in the year, with Sunday, October 4th picked out as the new race day.
(See a full list of London venue closures here.)
It’s a blow to those who’ve been pounding the streets of London in preparation, but as is becoming quite clear, this isn’t the kind of virus you can take risks with. We’ll keep you updated with more news as soon as we have it.