Despite the threat of coronavirus contamination, thousands of runners took part in the Bath Half Marathon with crowds of spectators lining the streets of the west country city. The event organizer's webpage stated: "It is now too late for us to cancel or postpone the event. The venue is built, the infrastructure is in place, the site and our contractors are ready. Runners are already arriving in the city, keen for the race to go ahead." Many people, including Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, had appealed directly to the organizers to cancel the event in light of the coronavirus pandemic.