NYC congressman/Senators pressing Mayors office to cancel NYC Marathon

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http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/sports/new-york-city-marathon-may-cancel-opening-ceremony-and-5k.html?pagewanted=all

just another story

needless to say the looting that is going on in the vacant building and apartments, and on Long island(i realize not NYPD) they are looting houses.

Here is some more info: http://www.nyrr.org/newsroom/nyrr-news-service/mayor-ing-new-york-city-marathon-will-go-on

http://www.ingnycmarathon.org//entrantinfo/moving_forward.htm

Postponing will never be an option.  Talk about a logistic nightmare that would be.  It will go forward and half the people registered will actually show up.  Every person I know from out this way that was scheduled to go has bailed.

Conversely, that is a whole lot of dollars coming into the city for that race.  Hotels, restaurants, etc...

Perhaps that isn't as big of a deal for a place like NYC, but I'd think that every bit helps.  If nothing else, it will help offset all of the overtime that is getting paid out right now.

Absolutely opposed to them continuing the race. At least they should postpone the race.

1) It will take too many resources (cops, volunteers) that could be used to assists in clean up and other safety.

2) Roads are already congested since several key subways are down.

3) Possible backlash from residents during the run.

Probably not high on the list of concerns if you are looking for loved ones or what's left of your home.

The media is playing down the real severity of the situation, and to go forward with the race is just absurd.

Since when does the media do that?

Anyone who had done this race knows it's a logistical nightmare in the best of circumstances.  I think it's really a bad idea to race when so many residents still don't have the basics.

Imagine the finish line - runners being handed warming blankets, water, food -- while many locals, who have lost everything, aren't even getting those basics!  I really worry about riots.

They're showing 3 major generators (enough to power 400 homes each) just to power the media tent/pre-race pasta dinner tent.

I think the argument for the revenue the marathon brings is irrelevant this year- I doubt they'll raise 1/2 of what they usually get-locals (NJ/CT/NY - who are the ones who spend a good portion of the revenue at restaurants and bars along the course) will not be showing up this year. 

I did read that a couple hotels on Staten Island are turing runners away, because they will not honor their reservation if it means turning out families that have no home, power, etc...

That's a powerful argument right there...

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/02/14880084-backlash-erupts-as-new-york-city-prepares-for-marathon?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=2

backlash is an understatment.....everyone is slamming this decision...even one congressman said 'we are looking for bodies 1 mile from the start of the marathon'

As they should.  Want to cement an image of runners being self absorbed and elitist, get one on TV throwing a fit because of all the time and money they've lost by cancelling a race.