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The London Marathon has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, organizers have announced.<\/p>\nThe London Marathon has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, organizers have announced.<\/p>\n
The 40th edition of the race, which was due to take place on April 26, will now be held on October 4.<\/p>\n
The decision comes after a number of other high-profile sporting events, including marathons in Paris and Boston, were called off amid ongoing concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Event director Hugh Brasher said: \u201cThe world is in an unprecedented situation, grappling with a global pandemic of Covid-19 and public health is everyone\u2019s priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know how disappointing this news will be for so many \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely grateful for all the support we have received from City Hall, the London boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, the City of Westminster and the City of London, Transport for London, the emergency services, the Royal Parks, BBC TV and many others as we worked to find an alternative date.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 40th race is scheduled to go ahead on Sunday October 4, 2020.\u201d<\/p>\n
World record-holder Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele were among the men\u2019s elite names due to take part, as was women\u2019s record-holder Brigid Kosgei.<\/p>\n
Kipchoge immediately expressed his disappointment, writing on his official Twitter account: \u201cIt is unfortunate news that the @LondonMarathon 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo the thousands of runners who with me have devoted the last months of our lives towards this goal I would like to say: Be proud of the work you have put into this journey, keep smiling and seek your next goal on the horizon to continue running in a smooth and positive way!\u201d<\/p>\n
British Athletics announced it would organize a separate marathon to act as a trial ahead of the summer\u2019s Olympic Games in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing the postponement and rescheduling of the Virgin Money London Marathon, British Athletics can confirm that we are planning to stage a marathon trial specifically for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,\u201d a statement read.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking at 25-27 April, and the event would be held in a closed location, with limited numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The news comes after the Boston Marathon was also postponed, joining races in Paris and Barcelona that had also been affected.<\/p>\n
The Boston race, originally scheduled for April 20, will now be run on September 14.<\/p>\n