New York City marathon cancelled

Sunday’s New York City Marathon has been cancelled amid fears the event may detract from the clean up effort following Superstorm Sandy, it emerged tonight.

After an announcement it would go ahead and be dedicated to the victims of the superstorm and their families, mayor Michael Bloomberg today said he did not want “a cloud” to overshadow the event.

There have been claims the world famous event could pull police resources dedicated to restoring the city.

The cancellation comes a day after Mary Wittenberg, chief executive of race organisers the New York Road Runners, said the marathon would show the “vitality and spirit” of New York City.

The mayor’s office tweeted tonight: “We have decided to cancel the NYC marathon. The New York Road Runners will have additional information in days ahead for participants.”

In a statement, the mayor said: “We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants, and so we have decided to cancel it.

“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.”

Mr 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 insisted that holding the race would not require diverting resources from the recovery effort, but understood the level of friction.

“It is clear that it has become the source of controversy and division,” he said. “The marathon has always brought our city together and inspired us with stories of courage and determination.”

At least 63 people were killed in Monday’s storm which battered and brought destruction to the east coast.

Police and fire departments, and electricity and transportation organisations are still trying to get the city back on its feet.

More than 47,000 people were due at the start line at Staten Island on Sunday and, in normal circumstances, crowds of more than a million spectators flock to the streets of New York’s five boroughs to watch.

Charities are usually big winners from the fundraising efforts of many of the runners, with last year’s event bringing a US $340-350 million (€264 million-€272 million) boost to New York’s economy.

Another linked event, a 5k dash to the finish line that would have run through Midtown on Saturday, has also been cancelled.

The marathon, which was due to be held for the 43rd time, is one of the highlights of the international marathon circuit, attracting a crop of the world’s top racers and television audiences of 330 million.