Two major local running events have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A note sent out from the organizer of the races, YellowJacket Racing, said that the Rochester Marathon and Rochester Regional Health Flower City Challenge are being canceled as in-person events this year.
The note from YellowJacket racing owners, ‘Boots’ and Ellen Boutillier, called it “crushing news for our sport, our community and for you,” and it said that during the summer, they had been working to move the Rochester Marathon to a New York State Park.
The Boutilliers said that they just learned that due to the uncertainty created by COVID-19 the park will not be able to provide the resources to support the event. The organizers also learned the City of Rochester stopped all permitting through November 1, which impacts the Flower City Challenge.
There are opportunities to sign up for virtual events. You can get more information at rochestermarathon.com
