In April 28, 2019 photo, Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line to win the elite men's race of the 2019 London Marathon in central London. (BEN STANSALL / AFP)

LONDON - This year's London Marathon will only allow elite athletes to compete, announced the organizers on Thursday.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this year's London Marathon has been postponed from April 26 to October 4. After months of work and consultation with authorities, the organizers confirmed there will only be elite races for men, women and wheelchair athletes on an enclosed looped course in St James's Park and times will be eligible for Olympic qualification.

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The organizers also decided to move next year's race from its usual April date to October 3 to give the best chance for the mass race to return in 2021.