"Virtual" the Rhodes International Marathon in 2021 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic

PRESS RELEASE

"Virtual" the Rhodes International Marathon in 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic of Covid-19

-On 10 April 2022 the race will take place with the physical presence of the athletes

The Rhodes International Marathon will be virtual in 2021.The Organizing Committee, taking into account the course of the coronavirus pandemic throughout Europe and the world, decided to transfer this year's race, which was to be held on 18 April 2021, to 10 April 2022, setting as its main priority the safety of athletes and all participants.

In addition, the restrictions imposed by health protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19 make it impossible to meet the high standards set by the organisers. Holding the Rhodes International Marathon very close to the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic with a series of restrictions in the context of the implementation of the health protocols would be unsafe.

Taking into account all the parameters, the Organising Committee considered that it was necessary to transfer the 7^th International Marathon in April 2022, while also deciding to organize the 1st International Marathon in April 2022.^ο Rhodes Virtual Marathon. The digital race, enables marathon fans and all runners around the world to take part in the great sporting celebration of Rhodes from wherever they are! All runners will run in their own virtual marathon, wherever and however they choose!

Athletes and runners who had registered for this year's race were informed via newsletter about the opportunity to take part in the 1^ο Rhodes Virtual Marathon and their participation in future events.

"The difficult conditions prevailing worldwide due to the pandemic of the COVID-19 virus in combination with the health protocols set by the General Secretariat of Sports for the conduct of races on public roads in our country, have resulted in the impossibility to organize the 7th International Marathon of Rhodes with the physical presence of athletes", said the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Rhodes International Marathon & Vice President of the Dodecanese SEGAS Association, Marietta Papavassiliou and added the following:

"Our main concern was to organize a race that would meet the EODY's health protocols and would be an example of how to bring back running events safely, especially in the spring season. Following recent developments and the course of the pandemic in Europe and around the world, it became clear that it would not be feasible to organise the Rhodes Marathon, the largest mass participation running race in the Dodecanese and the South Aegean. Considering the above, we decided to organize a digital-virtual race this year to keep in touch with the friends and fans of the event. We continue to work to prepare the best Marathon in the history of the event and we renew the appointment in Rhodes on 10 April 2022. We invite everyone to take part in the 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon".

Details for participation in the 1st Rhodes Virtual Marathon will be announced in a new press release. Co-organizers of the race are AMKE-Rhodes Marathon, the Dodecanese SEAS, the South Aegean Region and the Municipal Organization of Sports Culture and Culture of Rhodes (DOPAR).

The press office