Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Over 6,000 runners take part in Bath Half-Marathon despite COVID-19 health crisis

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Over 6,000 runners take part in Bath Half-Marathon despite COVID-19 health crisis



The Bath half marathon in England went ahead on Sunday despite the health scare over the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). A total of 6,200 took part - about half the usual number.

In a statement, the race director Andrew Taylor said he had not received any advice from public health officials not to go ahead.


The organisers also said that the risk of infection from outdoor events remained low and there was “no epidemiological or medical evidence” to suggest it should be restricted.

“Even if we were to cancel at this late stage on the eve of the event, we anticipate that thousands of runners would still turn up to run the route, and we feel we would owe a duty of care to those runners, given that our resources are ready and waiting to support them.”


Local MP Wera Hobhouse condemned the decision to go ahead. She had called for the event to be cancelled saying protecting "the most vulnerable in our city from a further spread of the infection must be the priority".

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