Big Sur Marathon Foundation suspends 2021 events
CARMEL, Calif. (KION) The Big Sur Marathon Foundation announced that starting Sept. 30, it will be suspending all race operations. This includes several races and programs in 2021.
Organizers say they do not know when they will be able to start planning races and opening registrations because there are so many unknowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are devastated about canceling all our in-person events and programs for 2020 and now for 2021,” said Race Director Doug Thurston. “That said, we have refocused our staff’s creative efforts on producing our Big Surreal Virtual Challenge and look forward to hearing how our runners enjoy the experience.”
The foundation hopes that by suspending operations, it will be able to reduce financial and operational damage so they can begin to organize races again when it is safe.
The in-person and virtual races for the 2020 Monterey Bay Half Marathon and the JUST RUN youth fitness program for the 2020/2021 school year have been canceled.
The 2-21 Big Sur Marathon weekend races, 2021 Run in the Name of Love, the 2021 Monterey Bay Half Marathon race weekend and grants for volunteer organizations supporting race efforts have been suspended.
In addition to suspending events, the foundation's board reduced its staff to two employees. Five full-time employees were laid off.
