Great Ethiopian Run postponed
The World Athletics (WA) has announced a new round of updates relating to international competitions, ranging from cancellations to postponements and confirmations. The governing body has confirmed that more than 15 international competitions were cancelled due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
Adding to postponed events, the 20th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run (GER) 10k race, was scheduled to be held on November 15, 2020. However, due to the exceeding COVID-19 cases in the country, the organizers have decided to postpone the competition.
Meanwhile, the Nairobi Continental Tour Gold meeting, Doha Diamond League, Dakar Youth Olympic Games and Rotterdam Marathon are among the annul competitions postponed due to the pandemic. The Chicago, Toronto, Paris and Frankfurt marathon have all been cancelled.
However, the WA said it will give updates if the competition organizers change their mind regarding staging the races.
Confirmed updates
Frankfurt Marathon (Oct 25, 2020) – cancelled
The race organizers have decided to cancel the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon 2020. The 39th edition was to take place on October 25. “We have not taken this step lightly and have done our utmost to find solutions and alternatives,” said race director, Jo Schindler. “Now we have to face the cold reality that cancellations are inevitable.”
Nairobi Continental Tour Gold Meeting ( Oct 3 2020) – rescheduled
The Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting which was moved to September 26, was rescheduled once again and will take place on October 3.
Doha Diamond League (25 Sep 2020) – rescheduled
The 2020 Wanda Diamond League, announced a further change to its 2020 calendar, with the date for the Doha Diamond League brought forward by a fortnight. The fifth meeting of the season was scheduled for October 9, but now will take place on September 25th. The plan is to stage 12 disciplines with a list of athletes, who will compete in the Qatari capital, to be announced in due course.
Shanghai Diamond League (19 Sep 2020) – cancelled
Following the decision taken by the National Administration of Sports, to suspend all international sporting events until next year, the 2020 Shanghai Diamond League will not go ahead as planned on September 19th. The meeting will return next year, taking its traditional place as one of the early-season events in the Diamond League calendar.
Rotterdam Marathon (24-25 Oct 2020) – postponed
“With pain in our hearts we have decided to reschedule the event due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The NN Marathon Rotterdam is now scheduled to take place on the 10th and 11th of April 2021. Every individual runner with a place in the 2020 edition will be able to use their place in the rescheduled event.”
Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2022 – postponed
Senegal and the International Olympic Committee have mutually agreed to postpone the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2022 to 2026.
Great Birmingham Run (11 Oct 2020) – cancelled
“There’s no option to stage the event as planned, or at a later date in the year.”
Chicago Marathon (11 Oct 2020) – cancelled
Event organizers and the City of Chicago announced the decision to cancel the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and all race weekend activities, in response to the ongoing public health concerns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Toronto Marathon (18 Oct 2020) – cancelled
Working closely with the City of Toronto and Mayor John Tory, event organizers in the Canada Running Series have made the decision to cancel the event. “We are pleased to announce that we will be transitioning to a virtual event this year, to continue to offer the best possible running and fundraising goals in these challenging times.