<p class="bodytext">The Athens Marathon, scheduled to take place in November, fell victim to the coronavirus on Thursday when organisers announced its cancellation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Nearly 400 people have died in Greece from the virus since February, with the infection rate accelerating from August onwards.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Greek athletic federation SEGAS said it made "every possible effort" to save the marathon during discussions with the health authorities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, it could not "secure the absolute safety of runners' health, which is and will be the top priority in our minds", the federation said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Athens Marathon, which starts at Marathon -- the town which gave its name to the distance -- and ends at the 1896 Olympic stadium in Athens, has grown over the last decade and now attracts tens of thousands of runners.</p>
<p class="bodytext">The Athens Marathon, scheduled to take place in November, fell victim to the coronavirus on Thursday when organisers announced its cancellation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Nearly 400 people have died in Greece from the virus since February, with the infection rate accelerating from August onwards.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Greek athletic federation SEGAS said it made "every possible effort" to save the marathon during discussions with the health authorities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, it could not "secure the absolute safety of runners' health, which is and will be the top priority in our minds", the federation said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Athens Marathon, which starts at Marathon -- the town which gave its name to the distance -- and ends at the 1896 Olympic stadium in Athens, has grown over the last decade and now attracts tens of thousands of runners.</p>