Sunday’s New York City Marathon has been cancelled according to multiple media reports .
Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ill-conceived idea to go forward with the 26-mile marathon prompted a huge backlash and outcry from residents who are still dealing with the chaos and hardship left in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Bloomberg received a huge amount of criticism for appearing to redirecting resources from disaster recovery to the marathon. He previously insisted that the event would boost the morale and the cash flow of the city following the monster storm.
Staten Island residents and officials, in particular, were outraged with Mayor Bloomberg’s decision to hold the race while thousands of residents in the hard-hit borough remain without power, adequate clothing, or enough food to eat. The marathon normally starts in Staten Island.
Mayor Bloomberg has now issued the following confirming statement about the official cancellation of the NYC Marathon according to ABC News :
“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. The marathon has always brought our city together and inspired us with stories of courage and determination. We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants, and so we have decided to cancel it.”
The NYC Marathon is said to be the world’s largest road race with some 40,000 runners from around the world planning to participate this year. There has been no word as yet if the event will be rescheduled.