DETROIT, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Another prominent marathon has been cancelled due to COVID-19.
Officials with the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon announced that the event will not take place for the first time since 1978.
Those who are registered can get a 50% refund, participate in a virtual marathon, or defer the amount to next year’s event.
The marathon joins Boston, New York, and Chicago as events that have been cancelled due to the virus.
The official statement from the staff for the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon reads:
“Detroit’s Marathon Weekend is not just any weekend. It’s a celebration of athleticism, perseverance, community and the best Detroit has to offer. In March when our world as we knew it seemed to change, we were hopeful that we would be able to run together in October. As time has gone on, it has become clear to us that this will not be the case. It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing we will not be gathering together at the start line this year.
After considerable consultation with public health and safety officials as well as discussions with our staff, volunteers, sponsors and most importantly our participants, we are announcing that the 43rd Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon will be run virtually due to COVID-19.
For currently registered participants, you will have the option to participate in our virtual event, defer your registration to 2021 or 2022 at no cost or get a 50 percent refund of your registration fee. On Thursday, July 30 look for an email with the exciting details of our virtual races as well as instructions on how to make that selection. Until that time, we will be closing our registration site in preparation for Thursday.
We are heartbroken and disappointed. However, we are working to create the most engaging and collective virtual experience possible – there are celebrations still to be had this year! If we’ve learned anything from our community, it’s that the only way we persevere is together. So even if it’s virtually from our own start lines, we look forward to commemorating our achievements together, even if we’re apart.
When we are able to return to the streets of Detroit in 2021, our race will not just be a run. It will be a celebration of our participants, supporters, volunteers and more. And celebrate, we will.”
