ZCZC
BSP-14
ATHLETICS-ESP-BARCELONA-HEALTH-VIRUS
Barcelona Marathon postponed over virus fears
MADRID, March 7, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The Barcelona Marathon, which was
scheduled for March 15 with 17,000 registered runners, has been postponed
until October to contain the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, city
officials said Saturday.
“We have agreed to postpone the event to keep working on COVID-19
containment in line with the recommendations of the health authorities and
the WHO regarding major events,” Barcelona city council said in a statement.
“The Barcelona Marathon will now be held on October 25,” it said of the
race which draws many runners from outside Spain.
Fernando Simon, the health ministry’s chief coordinator for emergencies,
said the annual race normally drew at least 1,000 runners from areas which
are currently considered infection hotspots.
“For non-professional sporting events, the recommendation is to postpone or
suspend them, particularly events with a high number of participants from
risk zones,” he said.
“In this case, the Barcelona Marathon usually has more than 1,000
participants coming from areas which are currently risk zones.”
BSS/AFP/FI/1912 hrs