New York City Marathon To Go On This Sunday--then cancelled

[cprenegade]

Ms Maggie,

Bloomberg made an unforgiveable mistake. He endorsed President Obama.

Bloomberg's endorsement of Obama has nothing to do with it. It's his endorsement and he has the right to endorse whoever he wants. He made the right decision in the long run to cancel the race, the question is why it took so long. My company's corporate headquarters is in Northern New Jersey, quite a way from the real devastation and on Wednesday they told everyone who had trips planned to come up there through November 19th for whatever reason that they should be cancelled due to expected gas shortages, and hotel shortages. Bloomberg made the right decision, the only question is why it took so long. Had he made the decision earlier in the week, it would have saved a lot of trouble. Certainly, he had other issues to deal with, but this was an easy one that could have been made a lot sooner. It has nothing to do with politics or who he supports, it has to do with common sense. I also believe the NFL should have moved the Giants game out of NJ on Sunday. But that is the NFL's decision and is a New Jersey decison and has nothing to do with Bloomberg.

[Joy in Mudville]

If for no other reason cancelling was a good idea for the safety of the runners.

I think that's the problem. I know the route very well and, because of my job, know the city inside and out.

The marathon route is largely untouched by Sandy. Yes, there's a lot of destruction in close proximity to the starting line which is at the foot of the Verazzano Narrows Bridge in Staten Island. The other spot is the Pulaski Bridge between Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Long Island City, Queens. This is roughly the halfway point and not far from where I live. There was substantial flooding here but McGuiness Boulevard is largely clear and by the time the runners would have arrived at the area flooded, they would already be well above ground level on the ramp to the bridge.

I think tempers were flaring today, but power's back on in many lower Manhattan neighborhoods, and power should be back in large swaths of the outer boroughs tomorrow. A lot of subway lines are going to come back online tomorrow. Gas is on the way.

I have very mixed feelings about cancelling the marathon. I know my fellow New Yorkers are hurting but the marathon really represents the best of our city. You really have to experience it to believe it but it is a great day.