NYC Marathon still a go?

justnum

justnum

Billiards Improvement Research Projects Associate
Silver Member
New York hosting is marathon is not sitting well with people.

The marathon also shuts down major roadways for people to run, through a federally declared disaster area. Highways and local streets will be closed for runners.

The same roads that usually provide transportation for supplies and emergency personnel.

The New Orleans Saints winning the Superbowl after Katrina was worthwhile but that was months after the recovery effort.



http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/171708/decision-to-give-marathon-green-light-sparks-uproar

The city says this year's marathon will still run on Sunday, despite growing calls for the race to be postponed.

Critics say the marathon is an insult to those still struggling to find food, water or a place to live.

Some are even calling for the entire event to be scrapped.

"Every runner who wanted to run, we're asking you to come to Coney Island and run up and down the apartment buildings - delivering water and food to seniors - to people who are stranded," said City Councilman Domenic Recchia.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the race will show that the city is slowly getting back on its feet, and he says the race will not divert resources from hurricane victims.

"Keep in mind by Sunday, we’ll have electricity back downtown. That will free up an enormous number of police. Also a lot of the transportation needs we have during the week aren’t there on the weekends."

Organizers are dubbing the marathon the "race to recovery."

New York Road Runners -- which organizes the race -- has donated $1 million to relief causes.

Appearing on NY1's "Inside City Hall" Thursday, NYRR President and CEO Mary Wittenberg says organizers will use more private contractors than previous years to ease strain on city services.

The 26.2 mile route through the five boroughs mostly avoids the areas hardest hit by Sandy.

The uprooted trees in Central Park are not in the way of the finish line.
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I concur

Definitely the correct call. The starting line is supposed to be on Staten Island which got slammed more than Manhattan. How can you put on something like that taking police and other city assets away from cleaning up, protecting, rescuing, re-building etc. while peoples lives are in shambles?

To go on would be shameful. I don't care how long it took to plan and if runners flew in from all corners of the earth, there are more important things to attend too.

They can run their hearts out next year and the year after that forever.

kano
 
Yeah, its not pool related but we are pool players that care about what happens to our fellow citizens when a disaster strikes like this.

Cancelled, good call but the fact that they were considering letting this go on when the death count is on the rise and people are desperate shows you that several peoples heads need to be examined.

If you were to be a participant in the race, how could you even think of running when all this destruction is around you and act like nothing has happened.

Truly amazing. I can't fathom what the feeling would be like to lose everything you have in this world and no one or no where to turn to.
 
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hi guys!just got my power back on from sandy,bluehog great answer sir
to anyone whos only concern is to move this thread to npr watch tv.shut up and think of what you can do to help
 
The marathon goes within a few hundred yards of my Manhattan apartment every year, and I enjoy it very much, but I fully understand why it was canceled and agree with the decision.

The great joy that the runners and those who watch the race experience annually is inappropriate at this moment, as we New Yorkers focus on this natural disaster --- which has left fatalaties, property damage, power outages, difficulties in transportation and communication, and, lest we forget, emotional damage in its wake.

The marathon is indeed, a celebration of New York City, but if the marathon had been run, the celebration would have been poorly, and distastefully timed.
 
scttybee said:
hi guys!just got my power back on from sandy,bluehog great answer sir
to anyone whos only concern is to move this thread to npr watch tv.shut up and think of what you can do to help
Click to expand...

Maybe you should think about why it's not supposed to be here. There is a reason for it, you know. I feel for everyone concerned and have an old and dear friend on LI. This doesn't have anything to do with helping.
 
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