Boilermaker officials announced Tuesday that the race will be held virtually this year, after previously postponing the event until September due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Is canceled.
It was originally reschueduled for september.
But we hearded less than two hours ago....there will be no boilermaker 2020.
The race, instead, will be held virtually.
Newschannel two's joleen ferris was at that announcement.
She's live.
Joleen.
Thanks, katrina.
The race is iconic, but sadly could not outrun this ruthless epidemic.
The event that people plan their summers around....that central new york transplants around the country plan their trips back home to see family around...will not happen in person for the first time in its 42-year history.
Race officials and the race founder, earle reed, announced just a few hours ago that the race would be held virtually this year.
Do it on a treadmill, run the course....run any 15k course and submit your information online and you will get a finisher's medal this year.
Obviously it's not the same as running the course with around 14,500 of your closest friends on the 2nd sunday in july when you become one.
A tired and sweaty and spent one.
But, it's a way to keep the tradition alive.
Race officials say it was a tough decision, because of what the iconic race means to everyone.
But also an easy decision because their number one priority is always keeping runners, volunteers and spectators safe.
And in terms of that....too much going against them this year.
9:23 "virtually every ingredient that makes the boilermaker so special, unfortunately, works against us in this situation.
We're an event with 19,000 runners, 4500 volunteeres and untold numbers of spectators.
Our runners hail from 47 states and multiple countries, even without an elite field involved.
We have a start line and a start area that is as tight as they come in the industry and 'does not lend itself to social distancing" they did express concern in the survival of the race and the organization beyond next year....that's why founder earle reed made a plea for those registered to stay in the virtual race...or donate their entrance fee back to the organization.
You have til noon est june 30th to decide.
You can run your 15k or 5k at your discretion (time & location) between september 1st & september 13th and report your time back to the boilermaker no later than noon (est) on september 13th via their runsignup account.
+ no health and fitness expo either.
The 19,000 participants of the Boilermaker Road Race, between the 5K and 15K races, will have a different look on race day. While..
