Port Gentil 10km Race Postponed As Coronavirus Hits Sport

The 10km de Port-Gentil road race which was all set to be run on June 20 has been postponed in adherence to measures to curb the spread of coronavirus

With at least 500 runners and more than 8000 fans expected, the 2020 edition had been billed as the biggest race in Gabon owing to the big prize money for winners of both the men and women races.

On Wednesday, race organisers in conjunction with World Athletics made the much-anticipated decision to officially postpone the race indefinitely.

An announcement to either proceed with the race on June 20 or postpone it was expected one week ago but the technical team chose to delay as it monitored the coronavirus situation and measures in Gabon and beyond.

In a statement, race organizers said the decision had been ‘difficult’ but it was important to minimise the risk that may be caused from large gatherings of people which at this event will be from both within and outside Gabon.

“It is in consultation with the Gabonese authorities as well as with international body (World Athletics) that the organizing committee has decided to postpone the race,” reads part of the statement as translated from French.

“A new date will be proposed later, as soon as the situation allows. The urgency is in the fight against this pandemic to preserve the health of all.”

The 10 km de Port-Gentil road race is labelled as IAAF Bronze Label race and was last year won by Abdallah Mande of Uganda.

Sheila Chelangat of Kenya won the women’s category, breaking the African 10km all-comers record.