The 58th Annual Ocean Beach/John & Jessie Kelley Half-Marathon, scheduled for Aug. 1 at Ocean Beach Park in New London, has been changed to a virtual event due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, race director Way Hedding announced Friday.

"We are committed to joining the efforts to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and ensure the health and safety of our runners, volunteers and spectators," Hedding said in a press release.

Anyone officially signed up for the race on RunSignUp.com may complete a half-marathon run at any time and on a course of their choosing between July 3 and Aug. 3. The runner will then submit his or her name, age, sex, mailing address and finishing time to wayhedding@att.net. Finishers will receive a race medal either by mail or by picking up at Kelley's Pace in Mystic (please indicate your choice in email).

The Kelley Race, originally run as the Schaeffer Race in 1963 and won by the late John Kelley of Mystic, 1957 Boston Marathon champion and two-time Olympian, was renamed for Kelley in 1974. There is no entry fee.