Hurricane Sandy moved up from the Caribbean to the Mid-Atlantic and up to the Northeastern United States here late October. We were rather fortunate around here where I’m located in South Florida, but the Northeastern United States got hit pretty severely. Here is what Wikipedia writes: Hurricane Sandy was a tropical cyclone of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season that severely affected portions of the Caribbean, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States in late October, with lesser effects in the Southeastern and Midwestern states and eastern Canada. In diameter, it was the largest Atlantic hurricane on record, with winds spanning 1,100 miles (1,800 km). The eighteenth tropical cyclone and named storm and tenth hurricane of the season, Sandy is estimated in early calculations to have caused damage of at least $20 billion (2012 USD). Preliminary estimates of losses that include business interruption surpass $50 billion (2012 USD), which, if confirmed, would make it the second-costliest Atlantic hurricane in history, behind only Hurricane Katrina. Sandy was the 6th hurricane to hit the New England area in the history of the USA, after a 74 year hiatus following the 1938 New England Hurricane. Wikipedia also states: At least 181 people have been confirmed killed across the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and the Bahamas, as a result of the storm. The 2012 ING New York City Marathon was scheduled for tomorrow and there was much anticipation if it was going to take place or not with all the after effects of the storm. The website of the ING Marathon kept stating that every effort was put into place to make the race a reality as planned, but finally late afternoon yesterday, they finally threw in the towel and cancelled the race. 
Here’s what the website of ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON said: 2012 ING New York City Marathon Is Canceled The City of New York and New York Road Runners announce that the 2012 ING NYC Marathon has been canceled. 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. We cannot allow a controversy over an athletic event — even one as meaningful as this — to distract attention away from all the critically important work that is being done to help New York City recover from the storm. New York Road Runners will have additional information in the days ahead and we thank you for your dedication to the spirit of this race. The Expo will remain open tomorrow. As you may remember, I was signed up for the race and had gotten my ticket as part of my fund raising for Team For Kids organization. I sympathize much with all those affected by the storm, but I must admit that the cancellation is actually a bit of a relief for me. I would have loved to the run, but I have pretty much done no training, since I obtained a foot injury 3 days into my training, so frankly I would probably not have fared too well. And this race actually deserves a good effort. Also I have been hard at work (something I otherwise try not to be), working on a number of really interesting things, both for my own activities, but also for a couple of other companies. Great things to come very, very soon. I also can only imagine what a mess logistically it would have been to try to get 50,000 people plus to race start line, seeing that more than likely numerous parts of the transportation is yet inoperable after the storm.
Now, please do remember that just because I post a humorous image such as the above, it does not imply that I have no sentiments or feelings for those affected by the storm. Anyway, I guess I will have more time to recover from my foot injury and get back into shape before my next race – and that’s definitely a good thing. Too much sitting still in front of a computer, does not make you fast nor does it get you in good shape. And hey, at least Team For Kids still get to keep my donation of US$ 2,620 – that’s right, that would correspond to US$ 100 for each of the 26,2 miles that that makes up a Marathon distance. I do, however, look forward to the next chance that I can participate in this race. The New York City Marathon is an awesome experience and one that I hope that I shall relive many more times to come as a participant (have only done one of the New York City Marathons – back in 2006). Meanwhile I send my condolences and thoughts to whose who lost a loved one or were otherwise severely affected by the storm and ask you to consider making a donation to the Race To Recover Marathon Fund to aid New Yorkers impacted by the storm. Here is the content of an email just received from the New York Road Runners: It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that the 2012 ING New York City Marathon has been canceled. The decision was made after it became increasingly apparent that the people of our city and the surrounding tri-state area were still struggling to recover from the damage wrought by the recent extreme weather conditions. That struggle, fueled by the resulting extensive and growing media coverage antagonistic to the marathon and its participants, created conditions that raised concern for the safety of both those working to produce the event and its participants. While holding the race would not have required diverting resources from the recovery effort, it became clear that the apparent widespread perception to the contrary had become the source of controversy and division. Neither NYRR nor the City could allow a controversy over the marathon to result in a dangerous situation or to distract attention from all the critically important work that is being done to help New York City recover from the storm. NYRR, in partnership with the Rudin Family and the ING Foundation, has established the “Race to Recover” Marathon Fund to aid New Yorkers impacted by the storm. Over $2.6 million has been raised, including a $1 million donation by NYRR. We are asking you to join us by making a $26.20 donation, or whatever you can afford, to help bring recovery and hope to those communities and families most affected. Proceeds will go to Hurricane Sandy Relief, administered by the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. You can also donate to the relief effort through NYRR’s fundraising platform, CrowdRise, which includes the American Red Cross and other charities. NYRR will redeploy the marathon resources and materials toward the recovery effort. We will share the details of this project as they are finalized in the days ahead. We all recognize this has been a very challenging time in New York City that has impacted so many people, including you, our runners. Please know that this is one of the toughest decisions we have ever made, and that we deeply appreciate your support.
