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London Marathon organisers admit rescheduled October race is in doubt

London - Getty Images Contributor 
London - Getty Images Contributor

London Marathon organisers have said that plans to race in October remain far from certain after counterparts at the Boston Marathon pulled the plug on their race for the first time in 124 years.

The most prestigious marathon in America had been moved from April to September 14, but organisers said on Thursday night that they had been too optimistic.

In the UK, Covid-19 lockdown restrictions will ease again on Monday, with racing set to be the first major sport to return.

However, marathon director Hugh Brasher has warned runners that they still face uncertainty in the weeks ahead.

"At this point, we cannot be certain if the event can go ahead or, if it can, in what form it can take place," he said in a letter sent out last week.

"We know that you would like certainty. We understand and acknowledge that you want to know if you should start serious training or restart your fundraising campaign.

"However, much as we would like to, we cannot offer you certainty. We announced the postponement on Friday, March 13.

"Back then, which now seems a lifetime ago, we were confident that we would be able to stage the 40th race on our new date of Sunday, October 4.

"But this is a world where things are changing so rapidly on a day-to-day basis and that is now far from certain."

A fundraising event – the 2.6 Challenge – was held in place of the London Marathon on April 26. More than £10 million was raised in total for 3,961 charities.

The update on the London Marathon came as it was announced that this year's Dublin Marathon on October 25 had been cancelled.

The Paris Marathon was also postponed until later in the year, while the Barcelona Marathon has been cancelled and uncertainty surrounds the already rescheduled Berlin Marathon.