Arizona Route Fun Run canceled because of coronavirus pandemic

The Arizona Historic Route 66 Association‘s Fun Run, an annual fixture along the Mother Road for more than 30 years, announced Thursday it is canceling the May 1-3 event.

Citing recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Arizona’s governor to avoid large crowds amid the coronavirus pandemic, the association decided to simply plan for a 2021 cruise instead. The Fun Run typically draws about 900 vehicles, usually running from Seligman to the western edge of Arizona.

The association stated in a Facebook post that all participants who had already signed up for this year’s event will see their registrations transferred to the 2021 event, slated for April 30 to May 2. All participants registered for the 34th annual Fun Run will have their registration transferred to 2022.

If you are unable to attend you could consider your registration fee a donation to the Association. If you cannot attend or do not want to donate your $55 and would like a refund for your registration fee, please email nikki@historic66az.com with your name and mailing address. We are experiencing a high call volume, so email is the preferred method of communication.
We thank you for your understanding and patience. We are already looking forward to celebrating Historic Route 66 with everyone in 2021!

In other news stemming from the coronavirus pandemic:

• The Range Cafe closed inside the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, citing a need to consolidate its operations.
• The U.S. and Canada mutually agreed to close the border to “nonessential” travelers from Canada. That’s another country closed off to travelers wanting to travel Route 66. The U.S. enacted a travel ban from Europe, Ireland and the United Kingdom last week.
• Marian Pavel of Route 66 Navigation reports some foreign travelers are stranded in the U.S. He compiled a list where such travelers can get lodging and other assistance in the interim.

(Image of the Arizona Historic Route 66 Association’s Fun Run in 2015 by Robert Moran via Flickr)