Tokyo Marathon now only open for marathon elites following coronavirus outbreak

With new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Japan, Tokyo Marathon organizers implement safety measures

By Pauline Miranda | Photo courtesy of Sporlab/Unsplash

Tokyo Marathon organizers released a statement Feb. 17 that the upcoming Tokyo Marathon 2020, set to take place on Sunday, Mar. 1, will now only be open for marathon elites and wheelchair elites. This is following the confirmation of COVID-19 cases in Japan.

“While implementing preventive safety measures, however, now that case of COVID-19 has been confirmed within Tokyo, we cannot continue to launch the event within the scale we originally anticipated,” the statement reads.

Other events related to the marathon have also been canceled, adding to the growing list of sports events postponed or canceled over cases of the coronavirus.

For other registered runners under the semi-elite, general, charity, and 10km categories, the Tokyo Marathon organizers have provided other options, which include deferring their entry to the 2021 marathon instead. However, those who choose to defer to 2021 will still be required to pay entry fees for next year’s marathon. “Abiding to the Entry Regulation, the entry fee and the donations received for the Tokyo Marathon 2020 will not be refunded,” organizers say.

More information on entry deferral will be announced by Apr. 1.

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