Despite Hurricane Sandy devastating New York, the NYC marathon is still occurring on Sunday.
New York Road Runners President Mary Wittenberg said to The Associated Press, ''To us the marathon really epitomizes the spirit of New York City, the vitality, the tenacity, the determination of New Yorkers,''
Mayor Michael Bloomberg confirmed that the race was still happening and organizers of the race are trying to asses how the damage from Sandy will affect the race including transportation to Staten Island where the start line is.
Currently, 14 of 23 subway lines are operating but nothing below 34th street due to the massive power outage still affecting a large area of Lower Manhattan.
''There's an awful lot of small businesses that depend on these people. We have to have an economy. There's lots of people that have come here. It's a great event for New York, and I think for those who were lost, you've got to believe they would want us to have an economy and have a city go on for those that they left behind.''
The AP reported that the race brings approximately $340 million to the city, which is economically hurting in the aftermath of Sandy.
Some people have volunteered to help with the race and organizers are planning to use more private contractors than in the past because of the huge strain on city staff currently because of Sandy, reported the AP.
With New York's airports all reopened as of Thursday morning the 30,000 out of town runners may have a chance to come into town and run the marathon, despite the aftermath of Sandy.
"The course mostly avoids areas hit hardest by flooding. Getting everyone to the start on Staten Island could be the biggest challenge if the two usual methods - the ferry and Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel - are still closed. Organizers are working on contingency plans," reported the AP.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
