November 2, 2012: “We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants, and so we decided to cancel it,” said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement released on Friday evening, hours after he repeated plans for the race to take place. “We cannot allow a controversy over an athletic event – even one as meaningful as this – to distract attention away from all the critically important work that is being done to recover from the storm and get our city back on track.”
Four day after Hurricane Sandy, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he hoped to lift spirits and show that the city was recovering when he decided to press ahead with this weekend’s New York City Marathon. Instead, the move became a source of strife Friday, with Bloomberg facing an outcry from politicians and New Yorkers who said this is not the time for a road race. They complained that holding the event just six days after Superstorm Sandy would be insensitive and tie up precious resources when many people are still suffering. An estimated 47,000 registered runners from around the world were expected to hit the streets for the 26.2-mile race on Sunday. They will all be offered a spot in next year’s race.
The New York Road Runners will still be offering money and equipment to the recovery effort. They were able to generate more than $2.62 million from corporate sponsors in less than 24 hours.