No Edinburgh Marathon until 2021 - organisers say
It had previously been postponed until later this year
Organisers of the Edinburgh Marathon have decided to cancel this year's event.
It had previously been postponed from it's usual weekend in early May to September because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But now bosses say they can't guarantee the festival can be held safely this year, so are postponing it until 2021.
A statement released on Friday morning read: "Over the past 3 months we have been working closely with, and drawing on the vast array of knowledge and resources available from, the UK and Scottish Governments, World Athletics, local authorities teams and medical teams to research, plan and work to adapt our delivery models.
"This was to ensure that, if government restrictions allowed, we were able to deliver a safe event for our Participants, Event Team, Partners and Suppliers.
"It is with deep regret however, we are sharing with you today that we have taken the very difficult decision to postpone the event until 2021. We think that it’s important that you understand how and why we have come to make this decision.
"As you know, it is outside of our control to say when events will be permitted to go ahead, and sadly there is insufficient information currently available to allow us to estimate when this will be.
"The nature of the event demands a considerable amount of preparation, not only from our team and our delivery partners, but from the participants. Their preparation for an event will involve training, sometimes meaning they are dedicating many hours away from their friends and family, which for many is understandably unpalatable or impossible with the demands of home working, childcare and schooling at this time.
"For others it requires the booking of accommodation or travel and we feel that it is unfair to ask for your and their continuing preparation if we cannot make a firm assurance that we will definitely be able to go ahead with the event on the planned date.
"We, as a team, are devastated to be sharing this announcement with you. We know you will be equally disappointed and we are acutely aware of the impact that the loss of events is having on our affiliate charities."
Runners who'd already paid to take part in the event are being offered a range of options.
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