London Marathon boss ‘regrets’ Passover clash

The chief executive of the London Marathon has expressed regret that next year’s event clashes with the second day of Passover.

Nick Bitel met with Simon Johnson of the Jewish Leadership Council, Gillian Merron of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Paul Anticoni of World Jewish Relief, as well as Maccabi GB chairman Michael Ziff, to discuss the timing of the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.

Explaining the “complex factors that were taken into account” when setting the date of 24 April, he said it was “unavoidable that the 2016 event should coincide with the second day of Passover in this particular year as it is the only possible date”.

Regretting the impact it will have on Jewish charities – which stand to lose hundreds of thousands of pounds from fundraising, he also reiterated the rollover system would continue to be available, meaning Jewish charities and organisations that are unable to use their places can roll them forward to the 2017 London Marathon.