The New York Marathon, the world’s largest, has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The race, scheduled to take place on November 1, attracts more than 50,000 runners every year and was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
A statement from Michael Capiraso, CEO of event organiser New York Road Runners, said: “Cancelling this year’s TCS New York City Marathon is incredibly disappointing for everyone involved, but it was clearly the course we needed to follow from a health and safety perspective.
“Marathon Day and the many related events and activities during race week are part of the heart and soul of New York City and the global running community, and we look forward to coming together next year."
Competitors have been invited to take part in a virtual marathon on the same day and have been given the option of either a refund or guaranteed entry into one of the next three renewals of the race.
The decision means half of this year’s marathon majors have fallen victim to the pandemic, with Berlin and Boston already cancelled.
Tokyo was held as an elite-only event in February, while Chicago is still scheduled to go ahead on October 11.
The London Marathon was postponed from its intended April date and rescheduled for October 4, though there is some doubt as to whether it will be able to go ahead after organisers cancelled the Great North Run last week.
