The organizing committee of the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020, together with World Athletics, has confirmed the cancellation of the mass participation race. On October 17, this was due to accompany the pro athlete competition for world championship medals.
The reason for the decision is the inability to organize the race in accordance with the current Polish government regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A record number of over 27,000 runners were on the start list of the mass run. These runners will have an opportunity to take part in a virtual competition, ‘while maintaining the full starter package of a mass run participant.’
The goal of the #AllYouNeedIsRunning project is to organize the largest half-marathon run in history. The initiative is supported by the stars of world and Polish athletics – including Eilish McColgan, Robert Korzeniowski, Yared Shegumo, Marek Plawgo, Stefano Baldini and the head of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe.
Since the beginning of March, when the event was originally planned for the end of that month, and was subsequently postponed to October 17, consultations were carried out. This aimed at developing a solution enabling both professional runners and amateurs to participate in the event.
Unfortunately, the organization of the mass participation race is no longer possible in the current situation. Although, preparations for the running of a pro athlete race are still underway, and further decisions are expected in the coming days.
“This is not how we imagined the effect of almost three years of preparations for this event,” said Michał Drelich, the head of the event organizing committee.
“I would like to thank the entire team and our partners from the city of Gdynia and World Athletics for the enormity of work and commitment to the preparation of all possible concepts, including alternative running routes as well as the formats and program of the event.
“Unfortunately, with the current participant limits and the lack of prospects of increasing them in the near future, it is impossible to organize a mass run. We waited as long as possible with the final decision, but it’s time to come to terms with reality. We are currently focused on the global virtual race project and we are doing everything in our power to run the elite race for world championship medals.”
All individuals registered for the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020 mass run have the opportunity to compete in a virtual competition, while maintaining the benefits of the conventional race.
‘The organizers will send a full starter package for free, including a starting number, ASICS t-shirt, a commemorative backpack and a unique medal.’
Signing up to the virtual event is also possible via the AllYouNeedIsRunning.com platform. For non-registered runners, the virtual race itself is free. There is an option to buy a medal with a race package. All participants of the virtual competition also receive access to a loyalty program with prizes and 3-month subscriptions to the TIDAL and Runkeeper applications in the premium version.
Michał Drelich continued, “In all this difficult and frustrating situation, we want to show that in the end, running is what counts as the simplest form of exercise. We are runners ourselves and we miss big events that not only motivate us to train, but are also an opportunity to meet and experience positive sports emotions together.
“In the uneasy reality of the last few months, going to run training has often allowed us to clear our heads and motivate ourselves to continue. We hope that October 17, despite all the adversities, will be a true celebration of running for lovers of this sport around the world. Although far from each other, let’s be together on this day.”
www.worldathleticshalfmarathon.com/gdynia2020
www.AllYouNeedIsRunning.com
