COVID-19: Boston Marathon, PGA John Deere Classic canceled

The Boston Marathon, the longest-running major annual marathon in the world, has now been cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic fears.

Boston mayor Marty Walsh said that the race, which had already been postponed to September 14 from its April slot, would not be held as planned for public health reasons.

"There's no way to hold the usual race format without bringing large numbers of people into close proximity," Walsh said in an announcement.

The marathon has been held every year without fail since 1897, generally drawing over 30,000 runners from all over the world.