The New York Marathon has been cancelled by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, after a resounding cry of complaints of misplaced priorities from those suffering from the impact of Hurricane Sandy. Here’s the NY Times’ report, in part:
After days of intensifying pressure from runners, politicians and the general public to cancel the New York City Marathon in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, city officials and the event’s organizers decided Friday afternoon to cancel the race. The move is historic — the marathon has been held every year since 1970, including the race in 2001 held two months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks — but seemed inevitable as opposition to the marathon swelled.
Mayor Bloomberg sent out a press release, but apparently as of this writing, the NY Marathon web-master did not get the memo. This was the last message on the status of the race before Bloomberg’s order:
Following Wednesday’s announcement by Mayor Bloomberg, the ING New York City Marathon will proceed on Sunday, November 4. This year’s marathon is dedicated to the City of New York, the victims of the hurricane, and their families. We’re adjusting Marathon Day plans as a result of the storm’s impact on our operations and resources.
But cancelling the race was the right thing to do. It sent the wrong message, with corporate sponsor money that was paid for the presentation of their image, seemingly taking status over the needs of the victims of the Hurricane. I’m sure there are corporate sponsors who did not want to be involved in that process.
Stay tuned.