Kansas City Marathon canceled for this year, will become ‘Million Mile Challenge’
Less than two months before the starting gun, the Kansas City Marathon has been called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event — a marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K — would have happened in the streets of Kansas City on Oct. 17. The races, sponsored by Garmin, typically have attracted up to 9,000 participants.
Options for runners who have registered include participation in the Million Mile Challenge. Runners are encouraged to complete their race distance before Oct. 17. They’ll receive a unique bib number used to log their mileage through a tracker.
This option will provide a refund for the marathon entry fee minus a $40 fee for the Million Mile Challenge.
Other alternatives for those who have registered are to donate their entry fee to the Greater Kansas City Commission and Foundation or transfer the fee to next year’s race.
The Kansas City Marathon is the latest annual event presented by the Sports Commission to be altered by COVID-19. The commission restructured its annual sports banquet to a televised event in April and canceled the Kansas City Triathlon, which had been scheduled for last Sunday.