XIAMEN, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The 2021 Xiamen Marathon, which was scheduled for January 3, has been postponed with a new date yet to be determined, organizers announced here on Thursday.

The decision was made following a circular issued Wednesday by China's State Council task force on combating the COVID-19 epidemic, which vowed to tighten its epidemic control measures for the forthcoming New Year and Spring Festival holidays, the organizers said in a statement.

The risk of the virus spreading will be larger during the holidays, the National Health Commission cautioned on Wednesday.

The statement added that registered runners for the 2021 Xiamen Marathon are able to retain their entry, and the registration fee will be refunded via the original payment method.

Debuting in 2003 and held on the first Sunday of every January, the Xiamen Marathon has been rated as an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Gold Label Event for 12 straight years. Enditem