BOSTON _ This year's Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual such race and a local rite of spring, is being postponed to Sept. 14 from April 20 in the wake of mounting concern over the coronavirus.
The marathon draws about a million spectators and results in more than $200 million of economic activity, according to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. Some 30,000 runners typically wend their way through eight Massachusetts cities and towns before finishing in Boston's Copley Square.
Originally a locals-only event, the race began in 1897 as a result of the excitement generated by the first marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics. It has since become one of the world's six major marathons, drawing elite runners from across the globe.
The long history has been marked by controversy as well as tragedy. In 2013, two bombs set off by terrorists at the finish line killed three and injured 264.
"We hope this date will get us to a safer place," Walsh said at a City Hall press conference. "We are Boston Strong and that's what we will be again this year."
