AUSTIN, Texas — For the first time in its history, the Capitol 10K has been canceled due to severe weather.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce that the 42nd Statesman Cap10K has been canceled," the event said in a statement.
"We are disappointed too, but nothing is more important than the thousands of runners and hundreds of volunteers along the course."
Race organizers had said the event would happen rain or shine, but dangerous lightning affected the decision to cancel the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) race.
More than 23,000 runners and walkers were expected to take part in the 42nd annual event.
Runners had already started lining up for the event on Sunday morning.
It was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday on the Congress Avenue Bridge. The event’s finish line on Saturday was shifted closer to the Palmer Events Center.
Saturday’s storms brought severe thunderstorms across Central Texas, with large hail, strong winds and flooding pounding the region.
More severe weather was predicted for Sunday morning and afternoon, with a flash flood warning still in place until 3 p.m.
Severe thunderstorms were moving in from San Marcos and south to the Mexico border, arriving just before the race was scheduled to begin.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: