Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 93rd running of the Mount Marathon Race will not be held in 2020, the race committee decided on May 29. The committee had previously postponed its traditional date of July 4 and was considering an alternate date of September 6.
The 93rd Mount Marathon Race is now scheduled for July 4, 2021.
The committee considered, but rejected, conducting a scaled-back event that would have implemented wave starts with fewer runners, asked spectators to stay away, spread the men’s, women’s and junior races over three days, and eliminated popular elements such as the live auction and awards ceremony.
Organizers conducted a survey of registered runners. Of 560 respondents, 38 percent said they would not participate in a race scheduled for September 6, while 43 percent said they would and 19 percent were not sure. Primary reasons for staying away included safety and health concerns due to the pandemic, students returning to college, travel challenges, planned hunting trips, and respecting the 4th of July race tradition.
The entire roster for the 2020 race will be frozen and rolled over to 2021. Anyone planning to participate will be required to re-confirm their registration in March 2021. Since all have the opportunity to participate in 2021, no refunds for 2020 will be granted. Those who opted to use their one-time Skip-A-Year for 2020 will be added to the 2021 roster and retain their Skip-A-Year option.