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Boston Marathon honors essential workers on Patriots Day without a race

The Boston Marathon was scheduled to run for the 124th time through the Massachusetts city’s streets on Monday. The first pitch at Fenway Park would have been thrown around 11:05 a.m.

Instead of cheering on new champions it was a day of celebrating previous ones by watching old races on TV. The marathon was postponed due to COVID-19 and rescheduled for Sept. 14.

So on the day the world’s oldest marathon was set be run, the race organizers honored health care employees and essential workers with a heartwarming message.

“We’ll wait to start until you reach the finish.”

The Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the race, also shared the message with a full-page ad in the Boston Globe. Mayor Marty Walsh, who urged people not to go out and run the route Monday, shared a video of hope and support on social media.

“Because on this Patriots’ Day, we’re going to be true patriots by not crossing the finish line.”

TV stations in Boston announced “A Patriots’ Day of Giving” to raise money for the Massachusetts COVID-19 relief fund while airing the 2014 and 2018 Boston Marathons on Monday. American Meb Keflezighi won in 2014 and American Des Linden won in 2018.

Last week, the daffodils meant to line the route of the marathon were instead given to hospitals around the city for employees to take home. The yellow flowers first appeared at the race after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing as a symbol of hope.

The White House coronavirus task force is keeping a close eye on Boston as it becomes a hot spot for the virus, vice president Mike Pence said Sunday. There are 5,516 confirmed cases and 175 deaths in Boston as of Sunday. Health officials say the state is close to its peak with 38,077 confirmed cases and 1,706 deaths.

The Boston Marathon start line is vacant in Hopkinton, Mass., Monday, April 20, 2020. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 124th Boston Marathon, which would have been run today, was postponed till Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Boston Marathon start line in Hopkinton, Mass., was empty Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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