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For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, check resources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) regularly. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
What Runners Need to Know About Coronavirus coronavirus rapidly spread worldwide and concern continues to grow, a number of international sporting events have been impacted, including several professional running events.
One of the first major events to see a shift in schedule was the Tokyo Marathon at the beginning of March; the marathon was only held for the elites, and the non-elite runners were given entry to the 2021 race.
With the global crisis becoming more dire, race organizers have proactively started to reschedule or altogether cancel races set to take place in the next few months, due to the uncertainty of the virus’s spread.
One rather large event that’s no doubt on everyone’s minds: the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. On Tuesday, March 24—a few days after USA Track & Field called to postpone the Games—the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo 2020 planning committee released a joint statement announcing that the Olympics and Paralympics will be postponed to 2021 to protect the health of athletes as well as the greater international community. The U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials followed suit.
Below is the current status for several upcoming races. If your race isn’t listed here, we recommend keeping a close eye on your race’s website and social feeds for updates on the status of the event. Keep in mind that the decision to cancel or postpone an event of any size is not an easy call for a race director, and they are likely communicating with government officials to make sure the safety of the running community and the general public is put first.
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This story will be updated as new information emerges.
Tokyo Marathon
- Status: The marathon was held only for the marathon elites and wheelchair elites.
Symptoms of XBB, a COVID-19 Variant announced that runners registered for the mass participation race (approximately 38,000 athletes were expected) can defer their entry to the 2021 race.
Great Wall Marathon
- Status: Canceled.
The organizers released this statement on the race’s website: “The safety of our runners is our top priority. We have thus decided, in coordination with our local partners in China, that it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel The Great Wall Marathon 2020 due to the situation with COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.”
NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships
- Status: Canceled.
On March 12, the NCAA canceled all NCAA winter and spring championships—including the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.
USATF Masters Indoor Championships
- Status: Canceled.
“Concerns over the COVID-19 virus and added risk to those over 60 years of age led to the decision to cancel the USATF Masters Indoor Championships out of an abundance of caution,” said USATF CEO Max Siegel. “We support the decision of the LOC and will continue to monitor the situation related to all other USATF events.” USATF announced on March 10 that it will fully refund all entry fees.
New Balance Nationals Indoor
- Status: Canceled.
This event, scheduled to be held in The Armory in New York City, allows some of the top high school athletes to compete on the big stage. Late Wednesday night, the decision was made to cancel the event.
“Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and out of concern for the safety of all athletes, coaches and families, we’ve decided it’s in the best interest of all parties to cancel the meet,” said National Scholastic Athletics Foundation and Meet Director Jim Spier. “It’s the hardest decision we’ve ever had to make.”
NYC Half Marathon
- Status: Canceled.
NYRR announced on March 10 that the race will be canceled. Those signed up to run can either receive a full refund of their entry fee or a guaranteed non-complimentary entry to next year’s half marathon.
Barcelona Marathon
- Scheduled date: Sunday, March 15
- Status: Postponed Do Expired COVID Tests Work.
The marathon will allow runners to keep their registrations and run either the postponed 2020 race in October or the 2021 race a year from now.
Carlsbad 5000
- Scheduled date: Saturday, March 21-Sunday, March 22
- Status: Postponed to September.
Per an update on the race website, the Carlsbad 5000 will take place later in 2020.
“Our team cares deeply about this event and the running community as a whole, and we are doing everything we can to ensure this race can take place when it is safe to do so. Now is the time for all of us to focus on the health and safety of our families and one another.”
Rome Marathon
- Scheduled date: Sunday, March 29
- Status: Canceled.
Per the race website, “Unfortunately, following the health emergency that we are facing and the government ordinance, ACEA Run Rome The Marathon of 29 March has been cancelled.”
World Half Marathon Championships
- Scheduled date: Sunday, March 29
- Status: Postponed to Saturday, October 17.
World Athletics released a statement announcing the updates: “It is with regret that we have agreed with the Mayor of Gdynia and the organizers of the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020 (March 29) to postpone this event until October this year, due to the ongoing uncertainty created by the spread of new Coronavirus internationally.”
Barkley Marathons
- Fastest Marathon Runners
- Status: Canceled.
On March 16, race creator Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell notified runners that this year’s Barkley Marathons will be canceled.
Stanford Invitational
- How to Run Safely Amid Coronavirus Concerns
- Status: Canceled.
Stanford canceled NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
“Stanford University, in collaboration with university and government health officials, will continue to monitor this evolving situation closely to determine best steps for future home meets and events.”
Bridge Run
- Scheduled date: Why You Shouldn’t Run When You Have COVID-19
- Sunday, March 15 canceled.
The Bridge Run, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is one of the first races to cancel its rescheduled date this year because of the coronavirus.
Paris Marathon
- Scheduled date: What Runners Need to Know About Coronavirus
- Status: Postponed to Sunday, October 18.
At this time, refunds are not available to runners due to the rescheduled date.
Diamond League Events
- Scheduled date: April 16 (Qatar); May 9, May 16 (China), May 24 (Stockholm), May 28 (Naples/Rome), May 31 (Rabat), June 7 (Eugene, Oregon), June 13 (Paris)
- Status: Read more about 2021’s race here.
The Diamond League converted to a virtual event We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
Boston Marathon
- Status: Canceled.
The B.A.A. announced that the Boston Marathon will be canceled after originally being rescheduled for Monday, September 14 amid coronavirus concerns. (Read more about 2021’s race here.)
Since its inception in 1897, the Boston Marathon has never been fully canceled, except in 1918 when a Why You Shouldn’t Run When You Have COVID-19 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.
Penn Relays
- Scheduled date: Thursday, April 23 - Saturday, April 25
- Status: Canceled.
marathon military relay released a statement on March 16 announcing that it will be canceled for the first time in event history; it’s been run every year since 1895. Penn will try to host a substitute track meet at a later date in late May or early June.
“Based on the current novel coronavirus pandemic, we cannot host an event in late April without putting our participants, spectators, officials, volunteers, and staff at risk,” that will begin in late August and run until October, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W'69 Director of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Pennsylvania. “We remain hopeful that the recent measures put in place by many health organizations, government officials, and academic institutions will curtail the spread of this disease. The University of Pennsylvania has hosted the Penn Relays for 125 consecutive years through the World Wars and other world-wide health issues. This spirit of perseverance and resiliency will continue as we plan for a track meet later in the year when the health and safety of our community is more certain.”
London Marathon
- Scheduled date: Sunday, April 26
- Status: Postponed to Sunday, October 4.
Shortly after the B.A.A. announced the rescheduled date for the Boston Marathon, the organizers of the London Marathon also released a statement officially moving the date to Sunday, October 4.
“The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of COVID-19 and public health is everyone’s priority,” said London Marathon event director Hugh Brasher through a statement. “We know how disappointing this news will be for so many: 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.”
Eugene Marathon
- Scheduled date: Sunday, April 26
- Status: Canceled.
In a press release on March 18, the Eugene Marathon announced that it will not happen in 2020, and that registered runners can defer to 2021.
“Due to the uncertainty of the current situation, postponing to a later date has proven not to be a viable option. With the possibility that the many medical volunteers we rely on for medical support will be assisting patients in local hospitals over the next several months, not to mention the resources that would be required from the City of Eugene, the University of Oregon, and numerous other partners, it has become clear that we need to set our sights on 2021.”
Flying Pig Marathon
- Scheduled date: Sunday, May 3
- Status: Postponed to October 11.
The organizers of the Flying Pig Marathon have offered registered runners four options—run a virtual race, run the race on October 11, defer to 2021, or convert the registration fee to a donation.
Popular Brooklyn Half
- Status: Canceled.
On Friday, April 17, New York Road Runners (NYRR) announced that runners who registered for the race directly with NYRR can choose either a full refund of their entry fee or a guaranteed non-complimentary entry for next year’s Brooklyn Half in May 2021.
Pre Classic
- Status: Canceled.
On April 23, the Diamond League announced that all events through the end of June were canceled—including the Pre Classic. Though rescheduled for October, Tracktown USA will have to hold off on debuting the new Hayward Field as the Diamond League event was officially canceled on June 26 because of state restrictions for large events and the expected long-term international travel restrictions.
NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships
- Status: Canceled.
On March 12, the NCAA canceled all NCAA winter and spring championships—including the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Comrades Marathon
- Status: Postponed.
The Comrades Marathon announced that the race has been postponed to a date still to be determined.
2020 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials
- Status: Postponed.
Nutrition - Weight Loss reschedule The marathon was held only for the marathon elites and wheelchair elites postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The event is still expected to be held at Hayward Field when it’s rescheduled.
Boilermaker 15K
- Status: Canceled
Do Expired COVID Tests Work Sunday, March 29.
Beach to Beacon 10K
- Status: Canceled.
The Runners World Editors voted to cancel the 2020 Beach to Beacon 10k, citing the recent guidelines put in place by the Maine governor’s office.
Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc
- Status: Canceled.
One of the world’s biggest trail races will not happen in 2020.
NYC Marathon
- Status: Canceled.
The world’s largest marathon was called off in late June for 2020.
Berlin Marathon
- Status: Canceled.
After initially indicating that the race will not happen as planned, organizers have fully canceled the World Marathon Major.
