The first major race in the US has now been cancelled as the over 20,000 runners who had signed up are being told now. This is a huge blow to the many runners who had been training for this but it is also not that big of a surprise. To keep track of other major races, check this post.
NYC Half Marathon Cancelled
However, it does have runners more nervous than before that possibly the Boston Marathon could fall to the cancellation train next. If you were signed up for the NYC Half Marathon, here are some details regarding this cancellation.
In a very good move by the NYRR, here is the cancellation process for all runners that had signed up directly through them.
Due to the scale of the race during this unprecedented time, runners who registered directly with NYRR will be contacted in the next few days with the option to select either a full refund of their entry fee or guaranteed non-complimentary entry to the 2021 NYC Half next March (exact date TBD). Runners who gained entry through a charity or tour operator should reach out directly to that organization for the options available to them.
Giving both the option of a refund or the entry to next year is a great move and one that I wish some of the marathons had made. Of course, if you still want to get out there and race out the 13.1 miles, NYRR has a virtual NYC Half option here. Pretty cool to at least know you are running along with many others – virtually if not in real life.
Due to the rapidly developing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the NYC Half, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, and the accompanying Rising New York Road Runners youth event, have been canceled. Learn more here: https://t.co/DHqGHNpYcF pic.twitter.com/gVUp3Cws0T
— New York Road Runners (@nyrr) March 10, 2020
What About Travel Plans?
If you were coming in from out of town, it is time to get your flights changed and/or hotels cancelled! This post here has all the details about the flight waivers for the US airlines but if you want to visit each airline yourself, here are the links below.
As always, if you were flying Southwest, those tickets can be changed or cancelled for free any time.
As for hotels, currently, any prepaid hotel reservation would not be refunded for this. However, if you booked with Hyatt, they will give you 10,000 points if you cancel your reservation (read this post for all those details).
If you booked with a refundable rate, make sure you check those details on the rate and cancel very soon. Most rates allow you to cancel for free up until 48-72 hours before checkin so you have time now.
Lastly, many OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) have been waiving fees/etc so if you booked through something like Orbitz, check your reservation and maybe give them a call if it was a prepaid rate.
So sorry to all runners who had been signed up – BUT, DON’T STOP RUNNING! 🙂
