Marathon cancelled but virtual run still on

People invited to choose their distance and take part on first weekend of May

The Yarmouth Marathon has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic — however, organizers are looking to keep the event’s “virtual” option, whereby race participants would pick a distance and run or walk it on their own during the first weekend in May.

The Yarmouth Marathon had been scheduled for Sunday, May 3.

Disappointed that the race won’t be held — in what would have been its 10th year — race director Bobby Lou Reardon says she hopes people will take advantage of the virtual option.

“They just do it on their own wherever they want,” she said.

In a normal year, people running the Yarmouth Marathon would get to choose from various distances, including 5K, 10K, half and full marathon. The virtual run is an option for

people who want to be part of the event but can’t be there in person.

The difference this year is that participation in the race is limited to the virtual option.

Reardon says for some people — those who normally would go to the gym, for example, but who no longer have that option because of restrictions due to the pandemic — a running event might be a new experience they would want to try.

For people who run but maybe don’t enter races, she says, this would give them a chance to take part in a running event without the pressure they might feel from being in an event with other runners.

And for everyone, she says, it’s a chance to raise money for a great local cause.

Proceeds from the Yarmouth Marathon are donated to the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation in support of kidney care services, hence the slogan Bean There Ran That, which is used to promote the event.

People who would like to take part in the event can sign up online through Race Roster. The entry fee is $25 and participants will get a race shirt after the event.

Reardon hopes people will consider taking part, whatever their fitness level or experience.

“We have a 5K and 10K, but they can really choose whatever distance they want,” she said. “They could make that their goal.”