CLEVELAND — The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is doings things a bit different this year.

The organizers have announced that the May race will now be a virtual event. Runners may also defer their participation to 2021 or 2022, as a result of COVID-19 concerns.

If you choose the virtual marathon route, you can run your miles at any location before May 17 and receive a shirt and medal.

“This is certainly not the outcome anyone wanted. We love our runners, and we know that so many of them have been training hard for our race in May,” said Jack Staph, executive director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. “We share their disappointment and frustration. However, we know that this is the absolute right decision to protect the health and safety of our participants and the community at large, which is our number one priority. It is just the right thing to do.”

The marathon staff attempted to find another date in the fall, but with the Cleveland Browns schedule not being released until mid-April, they were unable to.

“We appreciate the patience of our participants, partners and sponsors, especially Rite Aid and University Hospitals, while we deliberated over this decision during this uncertain and unprecedented time,” said Staph. “We will continue to provide updates and ways for our runners to connect on our website and social media platforms.”

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