Coronavirus in Argentina: they canceled the international marathon and the half marathon of Buenos Aires

This year, runners will not fill the streets of the city of Buenos Aires. The Buenos Aires half marathon, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 23, and the international marathon, which was to take place on Sunday, September 20, were canceled as a result of the health emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This was announced by the Ñandú Racing and Marathon Association, organizer of both events, the main ones of the running season and in which athletes from all over the world usually participate and also define the Argentine title of each specialty.

“We have followed these events in permanent consultation with international and federal states. Given the situation of uncertainty and the inability to train elite and amateur athletes, we adopted this decision within the framework of the health regulations established by the emergency and prioritizing the health of runners ”they expressed.

In a statement, they reported that, after analyze it in conjunction with Buenos Aires government authoritiesthey resolved defer racing for next year, with dates to be determined at the end of this 2020. “We send to all of us our feeling of solidarity with the conviction of meeting again to share two of the biggest social, cultural and sports festivals in the City,” they stated.

From the organization, they added that they will get in contact “with each of the local and foreign athletes who have signed up and who will keep their place within the quota by 2021”. According to the competition regulations, the suspension does not imply the refund of the registration fee, but each athlete will be awarded a credit equivalent to 30% of the cost of registration in the two subsequent editions.

In this way, it will be the second time in history that the 42K, whose first edition was in 1984, are not disputed. The other suspension was in 2002, in the middle of the economic crisis that the country was going through. In 2019, in its 35th edition, it attracted more than 10 thousand participants.

While for the 21K, which has been running continuously since 1989, will be the first time it has been canceled. Being for several editions the most popular race in Latin America, last year had the participation of 20,598 runners who made the round trip from Núñez to La Boca.

The spread of COVID-19 led to the postponement and definitive cancellation of many sporting events, such as the biggest event of the year, the Tokyo Olympics, which was also rescheduled for 2021.