Bloomsday, a race in Spokane that has attracted thousands from North Idaho the first Sunday of May for 43 years, has been postponed until September.

“This year, when COVID-19 began to make its way into our consciousness, we at Bloomsday worked with our local health officials, clinging to the hope that we could keep our first Sunday in May date alive,” race director Jon Neill said in a press release late Tuesday. “However, developments which have come at lightning speed over the past few days have made it crystal clear that it will be impossible to hold Bloomsday as planned.”

Neill said the decision to move the 7.46-mile fun run to Sept. 20 was made in collaboration with the city of Spokane and the Spokane Regional Health District.

“It is our fervent hope that the world will have COVID-19 well in the rear-view mirror by then and that Bloomsday will be the same great event — just on a different Sunday,” Neill said.

The race generally attracts about 40,000 runners and walkers and is one of the country’s largest runs.

Those who registered for the May 3 race will have their entry carried forward to the new race date. If they can’t be there then, it will be extended to Bloomsday 2021.

The Marmot March and Jr. Bloomsday are also postponed.

“Bloomsday 2020 will be an event to remember,” Neill said. “Be a part of that, celebrate with us, and show the world that Spokane is a special place that rises up even in the most unsettling of times.”