Boston Marathon officially postponed until September

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Reports first surfaced Thursday that the Boston Marathon would be postponed due to the coronavirus, and that became a reality Friday morning.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced that for the first time in the Marathon's 123-year history, it would be postponed, with a new date set for Monday, Sept. 14. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said he will be filing a bill to make Sept. 14 a state holiday called "Marathon Monday" so that the race will be run as it usually is without having to worry about workday traffic.

Walsh said the possibility of keeping the race in April and holding it without spectators was never seriously considered since the crowds along the course have become such a key part of the event.

The Marathon joins a long list of sporting events that have been either canceled or postponed. The NBA, NHL and MLS have all suspended their seasons for the foreseeable future, MLB canceled the rest of spring training and delayed the start of the regular season, and the NCAA has canceled all remaining winter and spring championships. Earlier Friday morning, Augusta National announced that The Masters have also been postponed.

The 124th Boston Marathon has been postponed - the @BAA understands the city's decision that the marathon cannot be held on April 20, and we offer our full support to take all efforts to postpone until September 14, 2020. Read more: https://t.co/CsnHNKOAZz pic.twitter.com/eBEGDM18FT

— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) March 13, 2020