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Sendai International Half Marathon Cancelled Due to Disasters

http://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2011/03/20110331t14034.htm

translated by Brett Larner

On Mar. 30 the organizers of the 21st Sendai International Half Marathon, scheduled to be held May 8 in Sendai, Miyagi, announced that the race has been cancelled due to the massive earthquake and tsunami which hit the Sendai area on Mar. 11. In explaining the cancellation spokespeople for the organizers cited the difficulty in travel to the area, the limited availability of accomodations for visitors, the involvement of local police and other support personnel in relief operations, and extensive damage to the course from the tsunami. They also expressed a desire to be respectful of the feelings of the tens of thousands of local survivors who have been reduced to a homeless, jobless state by the tsunami.

The 33 members of the organizing committee met on Mar. 28 to discuss whether to cancel the race, arriving at an agreement by Mar. 30. At the time of the application deadline on Feb. 28, 1356 runners had applied to run the elite-level race.

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