The London Marathon yesterday announced that the event taking place on Sunday 4 October will be limited to elite races. Other participants will be able to take part in a virtual race or, as in the case of Depaul UK runners, to defer their places until the race in 2021.
This race is currently planned to take place on Sunday 3 October, later in the year than it is usually run. This is to give the mass race the best possible chance of being run next year.
Depaul UK Executive Director for Fundraising and Communications Kevin Clements said: “We have every sympathy for our committed runners, who have trained hard to take part in the race and are fundraising for such an important cause.
“We have chosen to defer our charity places to 2021, and look forward to cheering on our runners next October.”
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Virgin Money London Marathon said: “We had detailed plans to deliver a socially distanced mass participation event – either a run or a walk – and we were planning to utilise new technology to do this.
“Despite all our efforts, the fantastic support from all of our partners and the progress that has been made on planning for the return of smaller mass participation events that are not on the roads, it has not been possible to go ahead with a mass socially distanced walk or run.
In 2019, the Virgin Money London Marathon raised a world record £66.4 million for good causes, including Depaul UK. The coronavirus crisis has hit charities hard; if you’d like to help us continue to help young people facing homelessness, you can find out more about fundraising for the charity here.