At least one person was running the Boston Marathon route early Monday morning despite state and municipal officials’ guidance against doing so due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, news outlets reported.

Tens of thousands of people were supposed to participate in the race scheduled for April 20. In mid-March, though, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced the event would be postponed to Sept. 14, the first time the race has been rescheduled since it began more than 100 years ago.

Pushing back the date of the race was expected to stave off transmission of COVID-19 and save Boston and the seven other communities where the marathon course cuts through tens of millions of dollars.

The Boston mayor told the public that postponing the race instead of canceling it would help the regional economy avoid losing around $211 million. He also noted that charities earn roughly $40 million from the event.

Walsh as well as Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and the Boston Athletic Association, the principal organizer of the race, have all urged people not to run the marathon Monday. There are no safety officials or barricades present, according to Walsh.

There are normally thousands of local, state and federal law enforcement officers present as well as hundreds of members of the National Guard working during the event.

Despite officials’ advisory, one person started running the course at its beginning in Hopkinton on Monday, WCVB reported.

📹At least one runner apparently didn't get the memo #MarathonMonday has been postponed... @BAA and local officials are urging everyone to steer clear of the race route today and save your energy for September @wbz @marty_walsh #BostonMarathon pic.twitter.com/JCfKpyJoLb — Nick Giovanni (@NickGNews) April 20, 2020

The Hopkinton Select Board strongly urged runners to remain home and avoid the marathon route, though. Parking restrictions were expected to be instituted in locations near the start line in the town, according to the select board.

“We want people to be safe and smart about it,” Walsh said at a press conference in March.

The marathon has been held yearly since 1897 and has received significant popularity. Last year, 30,234 participants ran in the race.

The course starts on Main Street in Hopkinton and ends on Boylston Street in Boston. The route cuts through Ashland, Brookline, Framingham, Natick, Newton and Wellesley as well.

All runners who were registered to run this year’s marathon will be automatically entered in the postponed race in September. If a person cannot make the event, they are eligible for a refund for their entry fees.

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