By Matteo Venieri, Inyeong Kim and Mikayla Heiss
BU News Service
A runner high fives spectators on Commonwealth Avenue during the 2019 Boston Marathon. (Photo by Jude Kinne / BU News Service) 
As the 2020 Boston Marathon was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Commonwealth Avenue remains deserted. (Photo by Matteo Venieri / BU News Service) 
Despite the fluctuating New England weather, about 30,000 people run down Commonwealth Avenue in the Boston Marathon each year. (Photo by Jude Kinne / BU News Service) 
On the day originally scheduled for the 2020 Boston Marathon only a few cars can be spotted on Commonwealth Avenue instead of the usual throngs of marathon runners and spectators. (Photo by Matteo Venieri / BU News Service) 
The Boston Marathon continues through Charlesgate Park as the sun breaks through the afternoon clouds. (Photo by Jude Kinne / BU News Service) 
On April 20, 2020, no runners can be seen emerging out of the tunnel and heading into Charlesgate Park. (Photo by Matteo Venieri / BU News Service) 
Jordan Hasay runs in the 2019 Boston Marathon. (Photo by Huibao Hou / BU News Service) 
On April 20, 2020, there are no runners down this stretch of Beacon Street. (Photo by Matteo Venieri / BU News Service) 
Several wheelchair competitors rush to the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2019. (Photo by Li Yang / BU News Service) 
On the day originally scheduled for the 2020 Boston Marathon, Boylston Street, site of the finish line is deserted. (Photo by Matteo Venieri / BU News Service)) 
Spectators wait for runners near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2019. (Photo by Li Yang / BU News Service) 
As the organizers decided to postpone the 2020 race, there were no spectators near what would be the finish line. (Photo by Matteo Venieri / BU News Service) 
Runners head for the 40k spot at Kenmore Square for the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2019. (Photo by Delong Ye/BU News Service) 
An empty Kenmore Square on the day originally scheduled to hold the 2020 Boston Marathon. (Photo by Inyeong Kim / BU News Service) 
Only a few people with masks on were spotted running on Beacon Street when the day had initially called for well over 30,000 runners. (Photo by Inyeong Kim / BU News Service) 
A man runs alone on Beacon Street. (Photo by Inyeong Kim / BU News Service) 
Even though spring has come and flowers have started to bloom, this April will host no marathon for the City of Boston. (Photo by Inyeong Kim / BU News Service)
BOSTON — Cloudy skies and empty streets Monday marked what was slated to be the running of the 124th Boston Marathon. In response to the pandemic, organizers postponed the marathon to September 14, 2020.
The Boston Athletic Association, which oversees the race, released a statement in March acknowledging the decision that the marathon could not be held this year due to COVID-19 concerns.
Since its inception in 1897, the Boston Marathon has never been completely canceled. The 1918 marathon, however, was replaced by an army relay race due to American involvement in World War 1. Last year, the fabled 26-mile course was completed in 2:07:57 by Kenyan Lawrence Cherono and in 2:23:31 by the women’s champion, Worknesh Degefa, of Ethiopia. The world will now have to wait until September for this year’s results.
In the meantime, running officials have asked runners not to ignore the cancellation and run the racecourse today. And with the Red Sox game canceled as well, the sight of Sox fans converging with marathon crowds in Kenmore Square is just a memory this year.
For those missing the event, the BAA released iconic background photos for those looking to spice up their virtual meetings this Patriots’ Day.
Related: BU News Service coverage of Boston Marathon 2019
Previous reporting from BU News Service contributed to this report.
