NEW YORK —
The New York City Marathon was canceled Friday by Mayor Michael Bloomberg after mounting criticism that it was wrong to hold the race while the region is still recovering from Superstorm Sandy.
With people in storm-ravaged areas shivering without electricity and the death toll in New York City at more than 40, many residents recoiled at the prospect of police officers being assigned to protect Sunday's race.
An estimated 47,500 runners from around the world had been expected to take part in the 26.2-mile event before the storm hit on Monday. The race had been scheduled to start in Staten Island, one of the most devastated places.
A few hours after Bloomberg insisted the race would be held, he reversed himself after top city officials lined up against him.
"We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants, and so we have decided to cancel it," the mayor said in a statement. "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."
Bloomberg's decision came just a day after he appealed to the grit and resiliency of New Yorkers, saying "This city is a city where we have to go on."
The nationally televised race that winds through the city's five boroughs and ends in Central Park has been held annually since 1970 — it was held in 2001, about two months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The cancellation means there won't be another NYC Marathon until next year.
Bloomberg called the marathon an "integral part of New York City's life for 40 years" and "an event tens of thousands of New Yorkers participate in and millions more watch."
He still insisted that holding the race would not require diverting resources from the recovery effort, but understood the level of friction.
Homepage
NYC Marathon canceled
- Local News
-
-
TCHS seniors named 2013 Georgia Scholars
Tift County High School seniors Amy Chainani and Sara Johnson, pictured left to right, have been honored as 2013 Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education.
Two Tift County High School seniors have been honored as 2013 Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education. Masoom (Amy) Chainani and Sara Johnson. They are among only 115 seniors in the entire state who have qualified for this honor, which has extremely strict criteria.
Continued ... - Risk assessment website to help tomato growers
- Downtown Farmer's Market opens Saturday
- Police report for May 17
- Benefit this Saturday
-
- Local Sports
-
-
Tiftarea-Tattnall split
The quarterfinals series between the Tiftarea Academy Panthers and defending state Class AAA champions Tattnall Square Trojans matched up two of the top teams in the state and after two games, the battle has been a stalemate. The Trojans won the first game 4-1, while the Panthers took game two, 6-3. Game three will be today at 2 p.m.
- Tiftarea hosts defending state champs
- First inning dooms Devils
- TCHS spring football game Friday
- Late magic forces another game three
-
Tiftarea-Tattnall split
- Explore
-
-
Embrace glorious stories with a visit to LaGrange, Ga.
Guess who cooked my lunch on a jaunt to LaGrange, Georgia? The great-great grandson of the legendary town philanthropist, that’s who.
- Explore the edges Mississippi Gulf Coast
- St. Augustine: Abounding with excellence suiting every taste
-
Embrace glorious stories with a visit to LaGrange, Ga.
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Police Reports
- Your Agenda
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
