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| New York Marathon runners try to make the most of race cancellation | New York Marathon runners try to make the most of race cancellation |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The late cancellation of the New York Marathon has disappointed tens of thousands of would-be race-goers, but determined runners have already signed-up for a replacement race. | The late cancellation of the New York Marathon has disappointed tens of thousands of would-be race-goers, but determined runners have already signed-up for a replacement race. |
| Virginia's Anthem Richmond Marathon – dubbed "America's Friendliest Marathon" – has seen a surge of entrants for its 10 November race following mayor Michael Bloomberg's abrupt U-turn on the staging of the New York City event. | Virginia's Anthem Richmond Marathon – dubbed "America's Friendliest Marathon" – has seen a surge of entrants for its 10 November race following mayor Michael Bloomberg's abrupt U-turn on the staging of the New York City event. |
| On Friday, Bloomberg announced the cancellation of the marathon just 48 hours before it was due to start, stating that he did not want "a cloud to hang over the race". That decision came after he had mounted a defiant defence of his intentions to give the race a green light, despite growing calls for to to be cancelled as a result of hurricane Sandy. | On Friday, Bloomberg announced the cancellation of the marathon just 48 hours before it was due to start, stating that he did not want "a cloud to hang over the race". That decision came after he had mounted a defiant defence of his intentions to give the race a green light, despite growing calls for to to be cancelled as a result of hurricane Sandy. |
| The confused manner in which the race was eventually called off angered some runners, even if most appeared to agree with the sentiments behind the move. | The confused manner in which the race was eventually called off angered some runners, even if most appeared to agree with the sentiments behind the move. |
| Eric Jones, who was part of a group of Dutch runners who had collected $1.5m for a children's cancer charity, said: "We understand, but maybe the decision could have been made earlier, before we traveled this far." | Eric Jones, who was part of a group of Dutch runners who had collected $1.5m for a children's cancer charity, said: "We understand, but maybe the decision could have been made earlier, before we traveled this far." |
| Close to 50,000 participants had been training for Sunday's event. Around 30,000 of them are out-of-towners and many, like Jones and his group from the Netherlands, had travelled from overseas. | Close to 50,000 participants had been training for Sunday's event. Around 30,000 of them are out-of-towners and many, like Jones and his group from the Netherlands, had travelled from overseas. |
| "I have no words," said Roberto Dell'Olmo, from Italy. He added: "I would like that the money I give from the marathon goes to victims." | "I have no words," said Roberto Dell'Olmo, from Italy. He added: "I would like that the money I give from the marathon goes to victims." |
| It was a common sentiment among disappointed runners. | It was a common sentiment among disappointed runners. |
| Until late afternoon Friday, participants had been reassured by Bloomberg that despite the devastation upon lower Manhattan and Staten Island – the race's start point – the marathon would go ahead. | Until late afternoon Friday, participants had been reassured by Bloomberg that despite the devastation upon lower Manhattan and Staten Island – the race's start point – the marathon would go ahead. |
| Bloomberg even likened the situation to the running of the 2001 marathon in the shadow of the then still recent terrorist attacks in the city. | Bloomberg even likened the situation to the running of the 2001 marathon in the shadow of the then still recent terrorist attacks in the city. |
| "We have to find some way to express ourselves and show solidarity with each other," he said, adding: "We have to have a city going forward". | "We have to find some way to express ourselves and show solidarity with each other," he said, adding: "We have to have a city going forward". |
| City officials also cited the revenue brought in by the annual event. More than 1 million spectators turn out annually to line the 26-mile route, piling money into local shops, bars and restaurants. | City officials also cited the revenue brought in by the annual event. More than 1 million spectators turn out annually to line the 26-mile route, piling money into local shops, bars and restaurants. |
| But hours after confirming the race would go ahead, Bloomberg changed his position Friday under intense pressure from those who believed it would be insensitive to stage the marathon. | But hours after confirming the race would go ahead, Bloomberg changed his position Friday under intense pressure from those who believed it would be insensitive to stage the marathon. |
| Disbelief and anger was particularly sharp from residents of Staten Island – the borough worst hit by Monday's storm. | Disbelief and anger was particularly sharp from residents of Staten Island – the borough worst hit by Monday's storm. |
| In a joint statement with New York Road Runners, Bloomberg said: "While holding the race would not require diverting resources from the recovery effort, it is clear that it has become the source of controversy and division." | In a joint statement with New York Road Runners, Bloomberg said: "While holding the race would not require diverting resources from the recovery effort, it is clear that it has become the source of controversy and division." |
| He added: "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." | He added: "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." |
| The statement added that disappointed participants would receive additional information in the days ahead. They will now have to wait 12 months if they are to run the annual New York race. | The statement added that disappointed participants would receive additional information in the days ahead. They will now have to wait 12 months if they are to run the annual New York race. |
| Some are not waiting until then for their chance to complete a marathon. | Some are not waiting until then for their chance to complete a marathon. |
| Brooke Wood, 31, is one of those who searched elsewhere for a race to run after Bloomberg's change of mind was made public. | Brooke Wood, 31, is one of those who searched elsewhere for a race to run after Bloomberg's change of mind was made public. |
| Originally from Australia but now living in Brooklyn, Wood said she wanted to do the right thing by those who had donated to the cause she was running for – the SLE Lupus Foundation. | Originally from Australia but now living in Brooklyn, Wood said she wanted to do the right thing by those who had donated to the cause she was running for – the SLE Lupus Foundation. |
| As such she opted for the Anthem Richmond Marathon, due to be staged next Saturday. | As such she opted for the Anthem Richmond Marathon, due to be staged next Saturday. |
| On Saturday, the website for the Richmond race noted that the cancellation of the New York Marathon had resulted in a "surge" of entries. As a result of the increased numbers, participants would have to wait for finisher medals to be posted to them in the mail, organaisers noted. | On Saturday, the website for the Richmond race noted that the cancellation of the New York Marathon had resulted in a "surge" of entries. As a result of the increased numbers, participants would have to wait for finisher medals to be posted to them in the mail, organaisers noted. |
| For those who have dedicated a sizable chunk of the year getting their body ready for the ultimate running test, it was a small price to pay. | For those who have dedicated a sizable chunk of the year getting their body ready for the ultimate running test, it was a small price to pay. |
| "Doing Richmond means I won't let four months of training go to waste, and it leaves New York City to focus on other critical things right now," Wood said. | "Doing Richmond means I won't let four months of training go to waste, and it leaves New York City to focus on other critical things right now," Wood said. |
| Meanwhile, others are opting for an unauthorised route to the finish line. A Facebook group calling itself Run Anyway Marathon is calling on runners to go ahead with their plans to run the 26.2 miles, by lapping Central Park four times. | |
| In a mission statement, the online community group states: "In respect to those in need, cancelling the NYC marathon was the right move. But for those of us who are running for causes or for others, we should finish what we started. | |
| "We will do it like the old days where we run the necessary amount of times around Central Park to complete 26.2 miles." | |
| According to the Facebook page, four makeshift aid stations will be set up along the route for those willing to take part. |