Hanoi (VNA) – A dozen of mass running events across Vietnam have been rescheduled dueto the acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to theVietnam Sports Administration (VSA).

Those affectedinclude the Spartan Vietnam Obstacle Course Race 2020 (Ho Chi Minh City) and HoTay Half Marathon 2020 (Hanoi) which were scheduled last month. The events willreturn on May 16 and July 12, respectively.

Races slated for March – Wow Marathon Phu Quoc (Phu QuocIsland), VnExpress Marathon Hanoi Midnight, Dalat Ultra Trail and Dalat VictoryChallenge (Da Lat), and Hanoi Marathon Techcombank – have also been delayed.

EcoparkMarathon (Hanoi) and VnExpress Marathon Hue (Thua Thien-Hue), which werescheduled for April, havebeen postponed to September and the Mekong Delta Marathon, planned the same month, to October.

As theepidemic continues swellingglobally, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested the cancellation of events and festivals andsuspension of activities at all historic and cultural sites and touristattractions to avoid mass gathering which can put people at risk of contractingthe virus.

Last week, theVSA also announced the decision to delay the 2020 Olympic running day for public health, slated for late March, to “other appropriate time.”The event was expected to simultaneously take place in 85 percent of the communes and townships nationwide,attracting tens of thousands of runners./.