More pain for Kenyan runners as Boston Marathon postponed

WASHINGTON

The 124th Boston Marathon, scheduled for April 20, has been postponed to September 14 due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Boston Athletic Association announced Friday.

The historic race, first contested in 1897, is the world's oldest annual marathon.

Kenya's Lawrence Cherono won last year's men's race in 2:07:57 and Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa won the women's race in 2:23.31.

Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and marathon organisers met with Boston Mayor Martin Walsh to decide on how best to proceed.

"On matters of public health and safety we take our guidance from the officials entrusted with protecting the public in this area," said association chief executive Tom Grilk.

"We understand our role, along with our partners, in ensuring a safe environment for all participants, volunteers, spectators, and supporters that meets the standards set by those officials."

BAA officials have worked with municipal leaders across eight cities and towns where the course for the 26.2-mile event takes place to coordinate plans for September 14 as a new date.

"The BAA's mission of promoting health through sports, especially running, has guided our organization for more than a century," Grilk said. "In collaboration with our many partners, we look forward to welcoming the world to Boston in September."

The delay means it will be an extra five months before Cherono will have a chance to defend his 2019 men's crown and Worknesh Degefa of Ethiopia could bid for a repeat in the women's race.

Cherono probably will have to choose between marathon titles to defend because he also won last year's Chicago Marathon and that race is scheduled for October 11.