Nobeoka Nishi Nippon Marathon Canceled

With regard to the possibility of the 59th Nobeoka Nishi Nippon Marathon being held as scheduled on Feb. 14, 2021, the organizing committee has considered the issue carefully while listening to the voices of all those involved. Despite popular support for the event to go ahead, after consulting with infectious disease experts and medical personnel concerning the coronavirus and hearing their opinion that the situation with regard to infections is expected to become worse, we have come to the conclusion that it would be difficult to put on the Nobeoka Nishi Nippon Marathon while preserving the safety of the runners, medical personnel and volunteers. As such we have unfortunately made the decision to cancel next year's race.

We are sorry for the disappointment this will cause to everyone who had been looking forward to the race but ask for your understanding. We hope that the situation improves and that we can once again put on our event in the years to come. Thank you for your support of the Nobeoka Nishi Nippon Marathon.

Nobeoka Nishi Nippon Marathon Organizing Committee

Translator's note: Nobeoka is one of Japan's second-tier elite men's marathons, with a small mass-participation men's and women's field. Major Japanese marathons still scheduled to happen in 2020 and 2021 marathon announcements to date:

Dec. 6: Fukuoka International Marathon (370) - scheduled with limited field size
Dec. 20: Hofu Marathon (2,724) - scheduled with limited field size

2021

Jan. 10 - Ibusuki Nanohana Marathon (10,954) - canceled
Jan. 31 - Katsuta Marathon (10,627) - canceled
Jan. 31 - Osaka International Women's Marathon (423) - scheduled with limited field size
Feb. 7 - Beppu-Oita Marathon (3,141) - canceled
Feb. 14 - Ehime Marathon (9,554) - canceled
Feb. 14 - Nobeoka Nishi Nippon Marathon (536) - canceled
Feb. 21 - Kyoto Marathon (13,894) - canceled
Feb. 21 - Kochi Ryoma Marathon (10,924) - canceled
Feb. 21 - Kumamoto Castle Marathon (10,444) - canceled
Feb. 21 - Kitakyushu Marathon (9,485) - canceled
Feb. 21 - Okinawa Marathon (7,990) - canceled
Feb. 28 - Shonan International Marathon (16,821) - rescheduled from Dec. 6, cut to 25 km
Feb. 28 - Himeji Castle Marathon (6,938) - canceled
Feb. 28 - Iwaki Sunshine Marathon (5,259) - canceled
Feb. 28 - Lake Biwa Marathon (191) - scheduled
Mar. 7 - Kagoshima Marathon (9.356) - canceled
Mar. 7 - Tokyo Marathon (151) - postponed to October 17
Mar. 14 - Shizuoka Marathon (9,802) - canceled
Mar. 14 - Nagoya Women's Marathon (96) - scheduled with limited field size

Mar. 21 - Itabashi City Marathon (13,310) - canceled
Mar. 21 - Koga Hanamomo Marathon (8,766) - canceled
Mar. 21 - Saga Sakura Marathon (8.509) - canceled

Mar. 28 - Tokushima Marathon (11,010) - decision by end of 2020
Mar. 28 - Sakura Marathon (5,614) - canceled
Apr. 18 - Kasumigaura Marathon (10,096) - scheduled
Apr. 18 - Nagano Marathon (8,082) - scheduled with limited field size

source articles:

http://www.city.nobeoka.miyazaki.jp/display.php?cont=201113165523&fbclid=IwAR2RBcTYddVQU-6eWJe-tM3FEnGHVyc9cDQ_JcsEEHbCc6A-YFe8UH7xyq0

translated by Brett Larner