The 125th edition of the Boston marathon will be held on October 11, organisers have announced.

In a statement the organisers said: “We announce the 2021 Boston Marathon date with a cautious optimism, understanding full well that we will continue to be guided by science and our continued collaborative work with local, city, state, and public health officials,” said Tom Grilk, president and CEO of the BAA. 

“If we are able to hold an in-person race in October, the safety of participants, volunteers, spectators, and community members will be paramount.”

“Massachusetts continues to fight Covid-19 and distributes vaccines across the Commonwealth, and with brighter days ahead, we are looking forward to getting back to a new normal in 2021,” said Governor Charlie Baker. 

“We will continue to work with local partners and the BAA to monitor the situation and remain hopeful that the 125th Boston Marathon can take place this October.”

“While it was of course the right thing to do, canceling the 2020 Boston Marathon for the first time in its 124-year history was one of the hardest announcements to make,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh.

“Today, I’m filled with hope, as we set our sights on October for the running of the 125th Boston Marathon.

We have a ways to go before we’re out of the woods, but guided by sound judgment and the advice of our public health experts, I am hopeful that we’ll get to enjoy the return of one of Boston’s most storied traditions this fall.”

The  Boston Marathon, traditionally held on the third Monday in April—Patriots’ Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusett–was postponed until at least the fall of 2021.

Following the cancellation, a number of athletes were left  disappointed among them reigning Boston Marathon champion Lawrence Cherono.

Cherono agonisingly watched as the two marathons he was looking forward to competing in 2020, including the Olympics, were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chicago Marathon suffered the same fate leaving the 32-year-old Cherono in the cold.

In 2019 Cherono won the marathon with a time of 2:07:59 while two-time winner Lelisa Desisa (2:08:00) and Kenneth Kipkemoi (2:08:06) finished second and third.