New York City Marathon Canceled

Sunday's race was to air nationally on ESPN2

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/2/2012 5:23:52 PM

After initially vowing to go on as planned, New York City has decided to cancel its annual marathon planned for Sunday, Nov. 2 that would air on ESPN2, according to the NYC mayor's office.

The news that the marathon would be canceled was first reported by Fox Business Network's Charlie Gasparino around 3:30 p.m. Friday, and confirmed by multiple news outlets, including WNBC, around 5:10 p.m.

NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision to run the marathon as planned sparked widespread outrage in the New York area where residents are still struggling without electricity, food and gas in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The New York Post ran a particularly scathing cover headline on Friday "Abuse of Power," taking the city to task for the generators stationed in Central Park for the marathon they argued could be better used for New Yorkers without power.

In a statement late Friday, Bloomberg said "While holding the race would not require diverting resources from the recovery effort, it is clear that it has become the source of controversy and division. The marathon has always brought our city together and inspired us with stories of courage and determination. We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants, and so we have decided to cancel it."

He said the New York Road Runners, which organizes the marathon, would provide information in the days ahead about whether or not the race will be rescheduled.