Say It Ain’t So – New Bedford Half Marathon USATF-NE GP Cancelled

Marci Klimek winning the women’s division of the 2019 New Bedford Half Marathon. Photo by FitzFoto/NERunner

 

Got a call, made a call, and for one who’s been attending the venerable classic in the Whaling City since Ivan Huff (whjo!?) was winning, not to mention Ingrid Kristiansen, with Aurora Cunha and Olympian Rosa Mota delighting the Portuguese crowds, the weather never took the coastal event down…but the Corona Virus has.

From the city of New Bedford’s Facebook page:

 

2020 New Bedford Half Marathon CANCELLED

2019’s lead pack. Photo by FitzFoto/NERunner

 

The City of New Bedford and the New Bedford Half Marathon Committee together are announcing that the 2020 New Bedford Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, has been cancelled to ensure the health and safety of residents and runners.

The risk level in Greater New Bedford remains low and there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the area, but the unique nature of the event poses a risk that is higher than other public gatherings. The race attracts as many as 3,000 runners, including many from places where COVID-19 cases have been confirmed. At the race’s starting line, runners are massed tightly in a corral in close contact for an extended period, raising the risk of disease transmission. There is similar risk to the thousands of spectators along the route and the City’s emergency personnel. Under the circumstances, canceling the race is the prudent course.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said, “This decision is not made lightly. The New Bedford Half Marathon is one of the oldest and most popular half marathons in the country. While no other public events in New Bedford have been cancelled, decisions regarding future public events in the city will be based on the overall risk level and the nature of the event. I wish to thank all of the volunteers who have worked hard to organize the race and I ask for their understanding, along with those local businesses that benefit from the race, that this decision is made to protect the public.”