Mayor Bloomberg says NYC Marathon canceled

Friday, November 2, 2012

photo Sandra Finnegan places a sign against the marathon in front of her brother's house, which was destroyed by Storm Sandy, in Staten Island, New York, Friday, Nov. 2, 2012. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has come under fire for pressing ahead with the New York City Marathon. Some New Yorkers say holding the 26.2-mile race would be insensitive and divert police and other important resources when many are still suffering from Superstorm Sandy. The course runs from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on hard-hit Staten Island to Central Park, sending runners through all five boroughs. The course will not be changed, since there was little damage along the route. ((AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

JENNIFER PELTZ and RACHEL COHEN

NEW YORK (AP) - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says New York City Marathon has been canceled.

His statement Friday came after mounting criticism that this was not the time for a race.

With people in storm-ravaged areas still shivering without electricity and the death toll in New York City at more than 40, many New Yorkers recoiled at the prospect of police officers being assigned to protect a marathon on Sunday.