Despite uncertainty about the future development of the disease, the organizing committee believed that the situation would improve in time for this year's race and opened entries on Apr. 1. But with the extension of the national declaration of emergency announced earlier this week, the organizing committee consulted a wide range of experts on whether an event with 28,000 runners, more than 8,000 volunteers, and many more roadside supporters could safely be held in November.
The consensus was that at the present time it is not possible to plan adequate safety measures, recruit volunteers, or guarantee provision of on-site sanitation measures to combat the virus. Even if the coronavirus situation were to improve by November, due to the nature of the mass-participation marathon the view was that the risk could not be completely eliminated by then. For that reason, with the safety of everyone involved with the Yokohama in any capacity being the highest priority, the organizers reluctantly made the decision to cancel.
The decision was made at this early stage in order to minimize the inconvenience to everyone involved, including both participants and sponsors. The organizers extend their apologies to everyone who looked forward to this year's race and will do everything possible to ensure that next year's race is held in a safe and secure way. Thank you for your understanding.
Hiroshi Yamaguchi
Yokohama Marathon Organizing Committee Director
Translator's note: The current state of Japan's twenty main marathons from October through December, representing almost 230,000 finishers total in their last editions, and one new race with a field of 10,000:
Oct. 4: Tohoku Miyagi Fukko Marathon (7,457) - scheduled
Oct. 4: Matsumoto Marathon (6,455)- canceled
Oct. 18: Chiba Aqualine Marathon (9,541) - canceled
Oct. 25: Kanazawa Marathon (10,408) - entries suspended
Oct. 25: Mito Komon Marathon (9,995) - canceled
Oct. 25: Shimada Oikawa Marathon (6,589) - canceled
Oct. 25: Iwate Morioka City Marathon (5,729) - scheduled
Nov. 1: Yokohama Marathon (25,195) - canceled
Nov. 1: Toyama Marathon (12,603) - entries suspended
Nov. 8: Fukuoka Marathon (11,349) - canceled
Nov. 15: Kobe Marathon (19,444) - scheduled, lottery results TBA on June 16
Nov. 22: Tsukuba Marathon (11,461) - canceled
Nov. 23: Ohtawara Marathon (1,697) - canceled
Nov. 29: Osaka Marathon (31,594) - entries suspended
Nov. 29 Nagasaki Peace marathon (1st running, field of 10,000) - entries suspended
Dec. 6: Shonan International Marathon (16,821) - TBA
Dec. 6: Naha Marathon (14,660) - entries suspended until early July
Dec. 6: Fukuoka International Marathon (370) - TBA
Dec. 13: Saitama International Marathon (13,340) - canceled
Dec. 13: Nara Marathon (11,137) - entries suspended
Dec. 20: Hofu Marathon (2,724) - TBA
source article:
https://yokohamamarathon.jp/news/0508-1-message/
translated by Brett Larner
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