For the first time in 124 years, the Boston Marathon will not be run. The 2020 Boston Marathon was cancelled last Thursday due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The race, which was postponed from its original date of April 20 to September 14, will be replaced by a virtual event in which participants will receive their finisher's medal for running the 26.2-mile course.
Of the 30,000 people set to participate in the event, 21 of them are residents of Medfield. It seems appropriate to at least honor this group of local athletes for the hard work, preparation and training they put into competing to the now-cancelled marathon: Madeline Bouchard (27), Hannah Donnelly (26), Margot Hayers (37), Mary Keady (23), Emily Kelleher (31), Amanda Macbeth (38), Sarah Nixon (55), Elizabeth Rumul (36), Erin Schneider (42), Emily Seminerio (32), Danielle Sullivan (39), Danielle Tata (39), Caroline Dorr Shenoy (30), Jay Aronowitz, (41), Thomas Crehan (49), Albert Crooker (34), Brian Hrybyk (37), Stephen Mahan (46), Craig McCordic (55), Tyler Sloan (27), David Twomey (42).
*Note: bold indicates a competitor returning to the event.
It's amazing to think such a prestigious and world-renowned event that withstood two world wars, the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918, and a bombing in 2013 would be unable to find a way to take place in 2020. Unfortunately, with all that is going on in our country, it appears the organizers felt a virtual event was the best option. Hopefully, all 21 of these athletes will have the chance for redemption in 2021.
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