New York City Marathon canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic

The New York City Marathon, scheduled for Nov. 1, has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the event organizer announced on Wednesday morning.

The New York Road Runners said the decision to cancel was made with the office of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Organizers said the health and safety of runners, spectators, volunteers and staff members prompted the decision.

“While the marathon is an iconic and beloved event in our city, I applaud the New York Road Runners for putting the health and safety of both spectators and runners first,” de Blasio said in a statement. “We look forward to hosting the 50th running of the marathon in November of 2021."

The New York Road Runners announced that next year’s marathon will be held on Nov. 7.

Runners who were registered for this year’s marathon will have the option to receive a full refund of their entry fee or a guaranteed complimentary entry for the 2021, 2022 or 2023 marathons. The New York Road Runners said runners registered for this year’s marathon and others from around the world will be invited to participate in a virtual 26.2-mile marathon from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1.

“Canceling this year’s TCS New York City Marathon is incredibly disappointing for everyone involved, but it was clearly the course we needed to follow from a health and safety perspective,” New York Road Runners president and CEO Michael Capiraso said in a statement. “Marathon Day and the many related events and activities during race week are part of the heart and soul of New York City and the global running community, and we look forward to coming together next year."

The New York Road Runners said there were 53,640 finishers in the 2019 marathon.

This is the second cancellation in the marathon’s history. The marathon was canceled in 2012 in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy less than 48 hours before it was scheduled to start.

Other major sporting events in the New York area are scheduled to take place beginning next month. Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday that it will have a 60-game season, with the Mets and Yankees scheduled to report to training camp at their respective stadiums on July 1. The U.S. Open tennis tournament will be held without fans from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13 at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. The U.S. Open golf tournament is scheduled to be held at Winged Foot Golf Club in nearby Mamaroneck from Sept. 17-20. The Belmont Stakes was held without fans this past Saturday in Elmont.