Organizers with RunVermont announced Tuesday the state’s largest marathon will be shortened this fall as COVID-19 cases surge in the state and nationwide. Runners scheduled to participate in the Vermont City Marathon will instead have the option to run a half marathon or an “adjusted relay event.” A full race would have relied on too many medical professionals to continue as planned, according to the group. “RunVermont believes it would be insensitive to ask those professionals to step aside from their duties to attend to the needs of the race at a time when the medical community is under some significant strain,” a release read. Peter Delaney, who directs RunVermont, clarified that “the need for medical support is significantly different for a half marathon.”Anyone registered for the now-shortened race hoping to qualify for a larger marathon is being offered a deferral option or can enter another local marathon through a complimentary spot as space allows. Those races are slated across the next month in central Vermont, northern New York and Connecticut. This marks the latest in a series of changes surrounding the marathon, which was canceled last year and moved back from its normal Memorial Day weekend scheduling this year. Both changes were made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes as the Delta variant is spreading across the state, with the number of daily cases reported on a Department of Health dashboard now approaching high marks set in late winter and early spring. Health officials reported 114 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. Roughly 86.4% of Vermonters age 12 or older have started the vaccination process, ranking it among the top states in the nation. Two other New England states — Massachusetts and Connecticut — have slightly higher vaccination rates in that category. Runners participating in the modified race will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before the event. Organizers have not specified how that information should be presented. Breaking down the relay optionsTwo-person relay runners: Both runners will start as individuals at the same time. Team scoring will be an aggregate of the combined times. Three to five-person relay runners: All team members will run a 5-mile course, featuring some highlights from the larger course, with teammates able to run together. Team scoring will be an aggregate of the top three times. Marathon runners: Anyone hoping to participate in a full marathon may participate virtually or defer their race to the following year. Three alternate in-person marathon options are listed above.
Organizers with RunVermont announced Tuesday the state’s largest marathon will be shortened this fall as COVID-19 cases surge in the state and nationwide.
Runners scheduled to participate in the Vermont City Marathon will instead have the option to run a half marathon or an “adjusted relay event.” A full race would have relied on too many medical professionals to continue as planned, according to the group.
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“RunVermont believes it would be insensitive to ask those professionals to step aside from their duties to attend to the needs of the race at a time when the medical community is under some significant strain,” a release read.
Peter Delaney, who directs RunVermont, clarified that “the need for medical support is significantly different for a half marathon.”
Anyone registered for the now-shortened race hoping to qualify for a larger marathon is being offered a deferral option or can enter another local marathon through a complimentary spot as space allows. Those races are slated across the next month in central Vermont, northern New York and Connecticut.
This marks the latest in a series of changes surrounding the marathon, which was canceled last year and moved back from its normal Memorial Day weekend scheduling this year. Both changes were made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It comes as the Delta variant is spreading across the state, with the number of daily cases reported on a Department of Health dashboard now approaching high marks set in late winter and early spring. Health officials reported 114 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Roughly 86.4% of Vermonters age 12 or older have started the vaccination process, ranking it among the top states in the nation. Two other New England states — Massachusetts and Connecticut — have slightly higher vaccination rates in that category.
Runners participating in the modified race will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before the event. Organizers have not specified how that information should be presented.
Breaking down the relay options
Two-person relay runners: Both runners will start as individuals at the same time. Team scoring will be an aggregate of the combined times.
Three to five-person relay runners: All team members will run a 5-mile course, featuring some highlights from the larger course, with teammates able to run together. Team scoring will be an aggregate of the top three times.
Marathon runners: Anyone hoping to participate in a full marathon may participate virtually or defer their race to the following year. Three alternate in-person marathon options are listed above.
