Ultra-running C'ships in Bengaluru postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic

India's first ever Ultra-running Championship, the highly challenging race which is longer than a traditional full marathon, has been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic with the events to be held here on July 18 and 19 getting postponed.

Ultra races are contested either over a set distance like 50km, 100km and longer events, or a set time like 6 hours, 24 hours and multi-day events. The International Association of Ultra-runners (IAU) is the world governing body of the discipline.

"Due to the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation in the India (lock down) and globally, we have taken the decision with the LOC at this time to postpone the 2020 IAU 24 Hours Asia and Oceania Championships to a later date," the IAU said in a statement.

"We are working with the LOC to come up with an appropriate date later this year. Please be ensured that we take the health of our athletes, organizers and federations very seriously and all decisions we take will be based keeping this thought in mind."