The Skyport Magic Mile, which was set to take place on February 27, has been cancelled for the second straight year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Skyport took over the sponsorship of the popular junior race in 2019, the 24th year of the event, however, the pandemic has again dashed plans to host the races.

The event is organised by the Bermuda Pacers Track Club and sanctioned by the Bermuda National Athletics Association, involving more than 500 young people aged 4 to 15 years old in various age groups.

The event is sponsored by Skyport as part of the company’s annual community investment efforts geared towards the betterment of the island’s young people through sport, education and the performing arts.

A spokesperson for Skyport and Bermuda Pacers Track Club said: “We have cancelled the Skyport Magic Mile again due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, we look forward to hosting Bermuda’s young runners when we expect to resume in 2022.”

Wayne Raynor, president of Bermuda Pacers added: “With Covid as it is and the number of people we have participating, anywhere from 300 to 800, just the management of those people in accordance with the Covid regulations would present a logistical problem for us in keeping everybody safe.”

A date for the 2022 Skyport Magic Mile will be announced next year.

News of the cancellation of the race is another blow to junior athletics with the announcement earlier this week that the Round the Sound race, organised by Mid Atlantic Athletic Club, has also been cancelled for this year.

Another junior event likely to be scrapped this year because of Covid restrictions is the Schools Relay Classic, organised by Bermuda Pacers and scheduled for late April. The Pacers are waiting to speak with the event sponsors, Raynor admitted.