Time runs out on Boston Marathon
But England and Italy expect soccer to return in less than a month
This year’s Boston Marathon was officially cancelled, replaced by a virtual alternative, while several soccer leagues and one major golf tour announced plans to resume play during the pandemic. Here’s a quick look at Thursday’s developments, in North America and abroad:
RUNNING
The Boston Marathon, North America’s marquee event for runners which had been postponed from April 20 to Sept. 14, was called off for 2020 — ending an uninterrupted 124-year run that included another pandemic, two world wars and a volcanic eruption. The race, which regularly draws a field of 30,000, will be replaced by a virtual event in which participants who can verify they ran 42.4 kilometres on their own will receive a finisher’s medal.
SOCCER
Pending government approval, the English Premier League plans to restart on June 17, 100 days after shutting down, with new staggered kickoff times to make sure every game — minus fans in the seats — can be shown on TV. Clubs agreed the season should resume with a Wednesday night doubleheader featuring Manchester City playing Arsenal and Aston Villa hosting Sheffield United.
Italy’s Serie A received government approval to resume play on June 20, a week later than initially hoped. There are 12 rounds left, plus four matches that were postponed. Juventus, aiming for a record ninth straight title, leads by one point over Lazio.
Major League Soccer, which allowed individual player workouts at team facilities on May 6, opened the door to small group sessions in host cities where government regulations permit. Toronto FC started individual work on May 11, and said Thursday it was in touch with levels of government to discuss clearance for larger groups. Montreal, the New York Red Bulls, New York City FC and D.C. United didn’t get the green light for individual workouts until this week, while Chicago and San Jose still haven’t.
GOLF
The European Tour plans to return July 22 and play six tournaments without galleries in England and Wales, starting with the British Masters. The other five events would be new, each with a purse of one million Euros from the tour’s development fund.
While the PGA Tour season is on course to resume in two weeks, the fifth stop on the remaining schedule, John Deere Classic, has been cancelled in its 50th year. Organizers said the event in Silvis, Ill., would lose too much money to continue, with or without spectators.