The official statement on the Rome Marathon website reads what everyone expected but hoped not to read:
“This is the message we never wanted to write but unfortunately, as a result of the ongoing health emergency and according to the provisions of the Council of Ministers Decree of March 4, 2020, the #ACEARunRomeTheMarathon of March 29 has been cancelled.”
Sadly, such communiqués are occurring daily these days: canceled races-from the most local to the most internationally famous-all share an equal fate. For health security reasons, the respective organizations are forced to cancel them. The excessive proximity of so many people in a compressed space, however outdoors, exposes them too much to the potential transmission of coronavirus. To avoid this risk and to contain contagion as much as possible, it is best not to expose participants to unnecessary risks.
Registration fees already paid will still be valid for the 2021 edition. Those who participate will be rewarded at the finish line with two medals: this year’s and next year’s. A nice gesture and an idea to be repeated in other similar competitions if they cannot be held for the same reason.
Right? Yes
Sandro wrote about this a few days ago, and we reiterate again: it is most important to adhere to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the relevant bodies at such a delicate stage as this initial phase of virus spread. The imperative is to contain its spread to avoid contagions. Experts say this is a very heavy but necessary set of measures to avoid an escalation that is difficult if not impossible to manage.
The attitude of the various organizations therefore is not one of excessive caution but is simply responsible and respectful of what the authorities decide (as well as being required by measures that must be legally complied with).
Rome is not the first and will not be the last
Among the most important Italian marathons, Rome is only among the first but almost certainly will not remain the only one. It was just a few days ago that the RomaOstia was also canceled for the same reason, along with the Bari Deejay Ten on Sunday, March 9. On the Milan Marathon there are no official rumors yet but given the temporal proximity to the Rome Marathon it is plausible that it will have the same fate.
For a time that is not yet clear to anyone, we will have to get used to this state of affairs: to give up races, to limit gatherings, to avoid contact between people. It is for our good and for everyone’s good. Exceptional times call for exceptional measures.
(Photo by Tatyana Dobreva on Unsplash)