New date for Boston Marathon

TORONTO: The Boston Marathon, cancelled last year for the first time in its history due to the Covid19 pandemic, will be held on October 11 as long as road races are allowed under the Massachusetts reopening plan, race organisers said yesterday.

All six marathon majors scheduled this year will now be condensed into a sixweek window, starting with the Berlin Marathon on September 26 and ending with the New York City Marathon on November 7, while the Olympics races will be held on August 78.

The field size for the world’s most prestigious marathon, which generally draws more than 30,000 runners from all over the world, will be forthcoming, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) said in a statement.

‘‘We announce the 2021 Boston Marathon date with a cautious optimism, understanding full well that we will continue to be guided by science and our continued

Marathon majors

2021 schedule

August 7: Women’s Olympic Marathon August 8: Men’s Olympic Marathon September 26: Berlin Marathon October 3: London Marathon

October 10: Chicago Marathon

October 11: Boston Marathon

October 17: Tokyo Marathon November 7: New York City Marathon

collaborative work with local, city, state and public health officials,’’ BAA chief executive Tom Grilk said.

Organisers also said the event plan must be approved by the eight cities and towns that comprise the 42km race route.

The Boston Marathon had been held annually since 1897 until it was cancelled in 2020.

Organisers said last October the 2021 edition would not be held in its usual April spot and that it would instead be held in the autumn. — Reuters