Runners react to cancellation of Boston Marathon

For the first time in its long history the Boston Marathon will not be run this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – For the first time in its long history, the Boston Marathon will not be run this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The jubilation of crossing the finish line on Boylston Street won’t be happening for runners in 2020.

“I think it was a pretty optimistic thing to think that it was going to happen in September,” said runner Kelsi Chappell of Portsmouth. “So I honestly didn’t have my hopes up about it.”

The Marathon was at first postponed to September, but canceled outright Thursday due to the public health risk.

Pawtucket native Anthony Gonsalves was planning to run for the first time.

“A year ago actually today I ran my qualifier,” said Gonsalves. “When I finished the race, I’m like ‘Finally I get to run Boston next year!’ so I was really excited.”

Known as the world’s oldest annual marathon, a virtual race will take its place this year.

“Will it be the same? No,” said Chappell. “Running down Boylston is like the greatest high of your life.”

Bristol native John Ratier agreed.  This was supposed to be his 38th consecutive Boston Marathon. He says he’ll miss the finish line the most.

“There’s nothing like coming down Boylston street at the finish line. It’s different than any  other race that you do, where you get chills all the way down,” said Ratier. “And even this many years later, I still get them.”

Despite the let down the runners say they understand the reasoning and will continue to train.

“This is all going to end,” said Gonsalves. “This whole pandemic is going to end and everything is going to go back
To normal and I just want to be ready whenever that day is.”

They hope the wait will make the 2021 Boston Marathon that much more special.

“It’s understandable,” said State Trooper Roupen Bastajian, who was running as part of a team with other officers. “It’s better to cancel the event than have a massive spread of this virus.”

You can find more information on the cancellation here.