The Boston Marathon was canceled on Thursday for the first time in its 124-year history, officials announced, as the spread of the coronavirus made clear that earlier plans to postpone the race until September were too optimistic.
The race — the most prominent and prestigious marathon in the United States — has been held annually since 1897, even amid world wars, periods of domestic tension and in snow and rainstorms.
The Boston Marathon, originally scheduled for April 20, was initially postponed in March and rescheduled for Sept. 14.But as the severity of the pandemic grew it became clear that September was not realistic for a race that regularly brings hundreds of thousands of people together.
The Boston Marathon has been canceled for the first time in its 124-year history, after initially being postponed from April until Septemberhttps://t.co/jcqQoXCnVl
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 28, 2020
The Boston Marathon has been canceled for the first time in 124 years because of #COVID19 — it even took place during World Wars I and II.
It was previously postponed to September, but will now be replaced with “virtual events.” pic.twitter.com/TADdLnnYZa
— AJ+ (@ajplus) May 28, 2020
