To all the runners who planned to take part in the 2020 Nagoya Women's Marathon:
We wish first of all to express our sincerest condolences to those who have lost their lives as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus, to their families, and to all those stricken ill by the virus.In consultation with a variety of organization, the Nagoya Women's Marathon has been examining what steps we could take to counter COVID-19, which currently appears to be spreading throughout Japan. We had made plans to conduct the race under the safest possible conditions, but among the latest cases of COVID-19 infection are those in which the route of transmission is unknown. Between the Nagoya Women's Marathon and its partner Nagoya City Half Marathon over 40,000 runners, their accompanying supporters and locals would have many opportunities to gather and mingle, and in light of the new developments we could not assure with confidence that everyone would be able to participate in the event in safety.
As a result, the 2020 Nagoya Women's Marathon will be staged as an elite-only event. We apologize deeply to the tens of thousands of general division women who trained for our race with dedication for months, and to all those who had looked forward to cheering for them on race day.
As the world's largest women-only marathon, the Nagoya Women's Marathon has left a deep impression upon its participants and spectators alike. To allow them to still experience some of the excitement of Nagoya even though they cannot gather and run together, we will hold a Virtual Women's Marathon. The Virtual Women's Marathon can be run anywhere in the world. Runners who complete 42.195 km will receive an original finisher's pendant and other participant's goods as well as an online finisher's certificate. We hope that this will help you share in the excitement that can only be had at the Nagoya Women's Marathon.
The Nagoya Women's Marathon is organized upon the idea of celebrating "The Day When Women Have the Leading Role." We may all be worried about an invisible virus, but it's our hope that the vibrant strength of our female runners will help bring happiness and positivity to Japan and the rest of the world.
Details on how the race will be staged:
While taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of the virus, the elite division race will still take place. Mass-participation division entrants and Nagoya City Half Marathon entrants from Japan and abroad will receive participants' goods, with charity entry runners receiving charity t-shirts. Entry fees will not be refunded, and 2020 entrants will not receive priority in entering the 2021 race. Charity runners' contributions will be donated to the designated charities as planned.
Virtual Women's Marathon finishers will receive an original finisher's pendant and virtual finisher's certificate along with their participants' goods. The Virtual Women's Marathon involves an event-specific app for their phone to record the distance run. The distance can be run anywhere without participants having to assemble in one place, reducing the risk of infection. We are still preparing details such as the rules and time frame for participation, taking into consideration the environment and circumstances faced by runners all over the world. Further information including how to register will be published by Mar. 2. Entry will be limited to those who were officially entered in the 2020 Nagoya Women's Marathon mass-participation division and 2020 Nagoya City Half Marathon.
source article:
http://womens-marathon.nagoya/news/20200220-1700/
translated and edited by Brett Larner
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