Indonesia's First Bronze Label Marathon Canceled Due to Pandemic
Jakarta. Like any other road race events across the globe, Maybank Bali Marathon 2020 also succumbed to cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Maybank Indonesia, the event organizer, said it could not prepare the course in four available categories — marathon (42.195 km), half-marathon (21.0975 km), 10K, and kid dash — to be ready for the original schedule on Aug. 30.
The local unit of Malaysia's Malayan Banking found it challenging to carry out the months of advance preparatory works involving the local gov't and authorities as well as event partners amid the restrictions government had put in place to stem Covid-19 pandemic from spreading.
"The safety and health of runners and all involved parties remain our utmost priority," Maybank Indonesia corporate and brand communications head Esti Nugraheni said in an official statement last week.
In exchange, all registered participants would automatically qualify for Maybank Bali Marathon 2021.
The running event is Indonesia's first international marathon to have received a bronze label from World Athletics, the international governing body for athletics sports.
The latter awarded Maybank Marathon after the annual event has fulfilled requirements such as road closure, timing system, international elite runners, and many more.
Luckily, the cancelation did not strip the marathon of its label.
Also, registered participants would still be able to collect points for Abbott World Maraton Majors Wanda Age Group World Rankings at the 2021 marathon.
More than 11,600 people from 50 countries participated in last year's event with Kenyan runner, Kirui Simon Kiprugut recorded the fastest time at 02:18:34.
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