London Marathon 2020 postponed until October over coronavirus chaos, organisers confirm
THE 2020 London Marathon has been postponed today until October as the coronavirus chaos escalates.
It comes after cases in the UK climbed to 798 as the deadly bug continues to infect the nation.
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Sources close to the London Marathon earlier told The Sun the event was due to be called off this afternoon.
Hugh Brasher, the event's director, has since issued a statement saying the race will now be held on Sunday October 4.
The news is a major blow to athletes who have been training hard to hit the capital's streets next month.
It had already been feared the annual event, which draws in runners and spectators from all over the globe, would be affected as the outbreak worsened.
The 40th London Marathon was due to take place on April 26, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock already warning last week it could be restricted or cancelled.
Mr Brasher said: “The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of COVID-19 and public health is everyone’s priority.
“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.
“We 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. The 40th Race is scheduled to go ahead on Sunday 4 October 2020.
“We know that there will be many, many questions from runners, charities and others and we ask you to please bear with us as we work through the detailed planning process to deliver the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon on its new scheduled date. We will email all runners and charities today and then update them via email by the end of next week at the latest. We will also post regular updates on our website and social media channels.”
Earlier today the Premier League also bowed to pressure and announced they are suspending the season for three weeks amid the coronavirus outbreak.
It comes with the football world in crisis as Uefa also announced ALL Champions League and Europa League matches scheduled for next week have been postponed.
It comes as...
- The global death toll reaches more than 4,900 with 135,000 confirmed cases
- Millions of Brit workers have been sent home as firms try to stop the spread
- The Premier League announced they are suspending the season for three weeks
- London streets normally bustling with tourists have been pictured empty of people
- Brits have been warned against all but essential travel to parts of Spain
- The country's top scientists has warned more than 60 per cent of Brits need to catch coronavirus to develop 'herd immunity'
- Prince Charles and Camilla have postponed their tour to Bosnia and the Queen cancelled trips
Cities and towns across Britain appeared deserted at times today as people worked from home and avoided shops and transport links over concerns about the virus.
Anyone with a cough or fever must now stay at home for seven days, after an emergency COBRA meeting yesterday ramped up the fight.
Last night Prime Minister Boris Johnson said schools would not close yet despite almost 600 people catching the virus, with 20 positive cases in Northern Ireland.
The PM yesterday confirmed Britain is in the "delay" phase to try and stem the spread.
"We are not closing schools now, the scientific advice is that this could do more harm than good at this time.
"Of course we are keeping this under review and this may change as the disease spreads.
"Schools should only close if they are specifically advised to do so."
Ireland yesterday announced all schools there would close until the end of March to stop the infection taking hold.
Mr Johnson last night described the outbreak the "worst public health crisis in a generation" and "it will spread further" as he revealed new measures to try.
He told the nation to stay at home if they have a cough, adding: "Many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time."
The PM admitted there would be “severe disruption”, but the Government was ready to adapt to keep people safe."
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the outbreak a global pandemic as 126,000 people have been diagnosed with the killer bug across 114 countries.
More than 4,600 people have died - around 3,000 of them in China - after contracting COVID-19 across the globe.
WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the medical body has "rung the alarm bell loud and clear".
