IN BRIEF New York calls off marathon
World’s largest race canceled due to coronavirus pandemic
The New York City Marathon was canceled Wednesday because of the coronavirus pandemic, with organizers and city officials deciding that holding the race on Nov. 1 would be too risky.
Organizers announced the cancellation of the 50th anniversary edition of the world’s largest marathon after coordinating with the mayor’s office and deciding the race posed too many health and safety concerns for runners, volunteers, spectators and others.
“While the marathon is an iconic and beloved event in our city, I applaud New York Road Runners for putting the health and safety of both spectators and runners first,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “We look forward to hosting the 50th running of the marathon in November of 2021.”
Last year’s marathon included a world record 53,640 finishers, with half marathon record-holder Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya winning her debut at 26.2 miles. Geoffrey Kamworor won the men’s event for the second time in three years to complete the Kenyan sweep.
“Let’s not waste this moment. Let us become stronger athletes, stronger communities and stronger world citizens,” 2017 winner Shalane Flanagan wrote on Instagram.
“This I know, a setback is just a setup for a comeback. Please stay safe, visualize the streets of NYC in your training for 2021 and work hard when no one is looking, because it always pays off,” she wrote. “What’s the best way to cope with disappointment or grieve a lost goal?? I say, go for a run.”
The 2021 New York City Marathon is scheduled for Nov. 7.
The only other time the New York City Marathon was canceled was in 2012, when Superstorm Sandy caused extensive damage and strained the city’s public safety resources.
The Sept. 27 Berlin Marathon was also canceled Wednesday.
Baseball: All-Star OF Charlie Blackmon is one of three Rockies players to test positive for the coronavirus, according to reports Wednesday. The identities of the other two players weren’t yet known. Blackmon hit .314 with 32 HRs and 86 RBIs last season. He turns 34 on July 1, the day players are set to begin reporting for the resumption of spring training. Blackmon tested positive last week after workouts at Coors Field in Denver. The Rockies then closed the ballpark, following MLB protocol. Numerous other teams have said they have players who have tested positive for the virus without identifying any of them.
Golf: Brooks Koepka and Webb Simpson were among five players who withdrew from this week’s Travelers Championship, four of them out of a chain-reaction abundance of caution over the coronavirus that put the PGA Tour on notice. “The snowball is getting a little bit bigger,” Graeme McDowell told The AP after withdrawing Wednesday because his longtime caddie, Ken Comboy, tested positive for the virus. The tour released results that showed three positive tests at the TPC River Highlands in Connecticut — Cameron Champ and the caddies for Koepka and McDowell. Nick Watney was the first player to test positive last week at the Heritage in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, which was teeming with people on summer vacation. Simpson, who won the Heritage last week, withdrew when he learned a family member had tested positive. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said extra testing and stricter monitoring of protocols that could result in “serious repercussions” for offenders will go into effect in the wake of the positive tests.
NBA: Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon announced Tuesday he has been quarantined after testing positive for the coronavirus. Brogdon said he’s “doing well, feeling well and progressing well.” He plans to join the Pacers in Orlando next month for the resumption of the NBA season and playoffs.
Soccer: Liverpool is on the verge of ending its 30-year league title drought after cruising to a 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp’s side can even clinch the English Premier League title Thursday without playing if two-time defending champ and second-place Manchester City fails to beat Chelsea.