The 2020 Chicago Marathon is the latest event on the running calendar to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The race was scheduled to take place on October 11 and was set to involve 45,000 runners.

Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski said in a statement: "My hope was to see everyone on the start line on Sunday, October 11, but our highest priority has always been the safety of our participants and our volunteers.

"We understand the disappointment, but when we return to the streets of Chicago, it will be a celebratory moment and an uncompromising statement about the collective spirit of who we are as a running community: we are powerful, we are persistent, and we will reach the finish line again.”

This leaves the London Marathon as the last ‘major marathon’ to potentially go ahead in 2020.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot added: “Like all Chicagoans, I’m personally disappointed that this year’s event won’t take place as originally planned, however, we look forward to welcoming all runners and their cheering squads once again when the Chicago Marathon returns to our city in full force for another very exciting race.”

Registered runners for the 2020 race will be offered either a refund or will be able to defer their place to the 2021, 2022 or 2023 race.