The rescheduled Virgin Money London Marathon will be shelved until next year because of the sheer impossibility of organising a huge mass participation event during the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.
Organisers are expected to bow to the inevitable this evening and confirm that the 40th running of one of the highlights of London’s sporting calendar cannot take place on October 4 as planned.
It has already been postponed once from the original date of April 26 and will now not take place until next Spring.
Sources reported by The Times newspaper suggested organisers are still hoping to arrange a showdown “duel” between two of greatest ever marathon runners, Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele, through the Royal Parks of central London on the day the event was scheduled for.
Kenyan Kipchoge, 35, the current world record holder, and Ethiopian Bekele, 38, have set the two fastest times in marathon history and sources have said that they are still keen to compete in a year that has seen the usual elite marathon schedule wiped out.
Organisers are hopeful a Government exemption to quarantine rules will be granted so the runners can come to London providing they follow strict Covid protocols.
However, the decision is a huge setback for the 40,000 amateur runners who have been training since the start of a year for an event that has now been twice postponed.
It is also a major blow for charities that rely on income from sponsorship of athletes. Since 1981 more than £1 billion has been raised for good causes.
Last month the organisers of the Great North Run had to delay the 40th edition of their race - due to take place on September 13 - with 60,000 runners, until next year.
