This year’s Mainova Frankfurt Marathon had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced. Germany’s oldest city marathon had been scheduled for 25 October. With Frankfurt not going ahead as well it will be the first year since the times of the Second World War that there will be no significant marathon race in Germany.
The event organizers together with the State of Hessen and the City of Frankfurt came to the conclusion that it is not possible to stage the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon 2020. “Set against the hardship which this worldwide pandemic has inflicted on people, countries, institutions and business, the cancellation of a sports event is of minor significance,” said Race Director Jo Schindler.
The contact and operating regulations imposed by the State of Hessen because of the coronavirus greatly restrict the holding of major events before October 31st, 2020. They are not permitted unless the organizers can ensure social distancing, hygiene regulations and the personal contact data of all involved in the event. “In this respect this also means, for us, the spectators,” explains Jo Schindler. “Unfortunately, with the venue and timing we cannot guarantee with absolute certainty the wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of spectators along a route of 42.195 kilometers running right across Frankfurt.”
All runners who entered this year’s Mainova Frankfurt Marathon will have the possibility to move their start into one of the next three years, 2021 to 2023. Another option is to donate the entry fee and become a „Marathon Saviour", helping the small Frankfurt running event company to financially survive this extremely difficult period. Those who choose this option will be named on the webite as well as on a Wall of Honour at the 2021 Marathon and will receive a gold start number for their race in the coming year. In addition 5 Euro of the entry fee retained will be donated to the official charity partner. „We have been working part-time for months and reduced our costs as much as possible. But we have costs to maintain our operation, independent of whether the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon can take place or not. At this point in the process of returning race entries we are dependent upon the solidarity and support of our participants and also our sponsors," explained Jo Schindler.
Preparations have already begun for October 31st, 2021. “I am convinced that with a build-up of around 15 months we shall be able to meet the requirements of the State of Hessen,” said Jo Schindler. “I and my team are looking forward greatly to the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon 2021.”