The NYRR should cancel the 2012 NYC Marathon and offer free transfers

Central Park, the NYC Marathon finish line, is closed due to Hurricane Sandy (URL)

I’ve been trying to get into the NYC Marathon for 3 years. Since my PR is nowhere near the 2:45 guaranteed entry time, I played the lottery. Each year I lost. Good news for me, if you lose the lottery three years in a row you’re automatically accepted the fourth year. Huzzah! I was stoked. I trained and trained and trained. Then, with less than one week before the race, Hurricane Sandy rolled up and kicked the East Coast square in the junk.

Lower Manhattan was submerged. Public transportation knocked out. Airports shut down. Much of the city lost power. Houses burned. Others destroyed by flooding. People died.

Look, I was in NYC on 9/11. Sandy is not 9/11. I remember how long it took to get things up and running post-9/11. Sandy did way more damage. Frankly, there is no way the city is going (or should try) to rebound from the storm in just a few days. But that’s exactly what the New York Road Runners (NYRR), the host organization of the NYC Marathon, wants to do.

We’re 100-percent committed to staging the race.

OK, maybe not 100% as stated in another press release 90 minutes later.

This is a very challenging time for the people and City of New York. The City is rightfully focused on assessment, restoration and recovery. At NYRR, we stand with our City agency partners and support their efforts. The Marathon has always been a special day for New Yorkers as a symbol of the vitality and resiliency of this City. NYRR continues to move ahead with its planning and preparation. We will keep all options open with regard to making any accommodations and adjustments necessary to race day and race weekend events. We will provide an update and more detail as information becomes available.

Well, more like 18% given that NYRR CEO Mary Wittenberg said:

The decision whether to hold the race [is] “entirely” in the mayor’s hands.

Here’s a suggestion NYRR (or Mayor Bloomberg or whoever is responsible for making NYRR’s decisions), cancel the race and give runners free transfers to the 2013 race.

Reason #1: Infrastructure

86th street subway station under water (URL)

Head over to the NY Times Hurricane Sandy section and it is apparent that the city is not ready to host 47,000 runners and their friends and family.

Subway lines are still suspended. Trains are suspended. Taxis and Livery cars are carpooling passengers. Buses are operating sporadically. Airports are just now opening back up with the exception of LaGuardia and there are thousands of rebookings to be made.

Then there’s electricity and water. Many homes and businesses in lower Manhattan and New Jersey (location destinations for many runners) are without both.

Where’s a runner to stay? How is a runner to get around? What do they eat and drink?

Reason #2: The Benjamins

The NYC Marathon costs a boatload of money to run. Not just for the organizers, but for the runners who are participating ($215 NYRR members; $255 for non-NYRR members; $347 for International applicants). Based on the current cancellation policies, a runner can transfer but they’ll lose their 2012 entry fee and will have to pay again in 2013.

Money has got to be a factor in the NYRR’s decision to move forward with the race. The race is expected to attract 47,000 people including 20,000 from overseas. Do the math and that’s roughly $12.8 million in entry fees. And the city isn’t off the hook either. If the marathon goes away, the city stands to lose out on $350 million in race-related revenue.

Reason #3: Resources

The 26.2 mile course avoids most of the areas hit hardest by Sandy. It starts in Staten Island, crosses the Verazano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn, onto Queens, across the Queensboro Bridge into midtown Manhattan, through the Upper East Side, across the Willis Ave. Bridge, a mile in the Bronx, back into Manhattan via the Madison Ave. Bridge, and eventually into Central Park.

Over the course of 26.2 miles there are Porta-Johns at the start, finish, and every mile beginning at mile 3. Water and Gatorade are available on any of a dozen tables on both sides of the road at every mile after mile 3. PowerGel at mile 18. Fruit is aplenty at miles 20-23. There are medical volunteers at every mile starting at mile 3. And, about 1,500 police officers are hired to secure the course.

Now, I’m not the brightest star in the sky, but it would seem that if I was in charge of the largest city in the United States, and that city was hit by an epic storm which left millions without electricity, adequate drinking water, or food, I would provide those things to those that needed it most, not 47,000 runners. And, if I was in charge of a race that usurped those resources in a time of crisis I would be ashamed. But that’s just me.

Reason #4: Logistics

LaGuardia runway under water after Sandy

LaGuardia runway under water (URL)

After Superstorm Sandy hit I watched the news regarding the race and everything that could impact getting to and from the start line. Relax, I’m not a complete a-hole. I checked on my friends, too. They’re fine. Thanks for asking.

On Tuesday NYRR threw up a “Our office is closed” banner on their website. Followed with a “100% go!” official statement. Which is followed by a retraction that includes “keeping all options open” regarding race adjustments. Then Bloomberg backed NYRR and shared his enthusiasm. And then Wittenberg said it’s Bloomberg’s call.

As you all decide the fate of the marathon (and by all means take your sweet time) you should consider the individual logistics of getting to and around the city.

This morning my wife woke up to the chime of a new email from her friend in Jersey City.

No power. No water. Supermarkets are barren.

Well that sucks. Then we called Delta.

Your flight will most likely be canceled. LaGuardia is under water and won’t be cleared until Monday.

Jersey City Supermarket on Wed

So let’s see. If I go I’d be traveling on a canceled flight with my wife and toddler to LGA, an airport that probably won’t open until Monday, with no promise of ground transportation to a location without food, water, or power. And if baby Jesus intervenes and I’m able to get to New York there’s still the getting around the city part.

At some point I’d have to go from Jersey City to and from the Javits Center for packet pickup. Then, on Sunday I’d have to wake up at some ungodly hour to maybe take the PATH to the city and maybe take the subway to Battery Park so I can maybe take the ferry to Staten Island.

Yeah, I’m not running the 2012 NYC Marathon. And I’m not the only one. There are loads of people who are deferring to the 2013 NYC Marathon (search Twitter for NYCM or NYCMarathon). And I would argue that some of those who will defer will be the elite runners (seeing how only one was in NYC as of Tuesday).

Your Move NYRR (or Bloomberg)

When former NYC mayor, Rudy Guiliani, was asked about the race at a press conference in Sydney he said:

I hope beyond hope they have the marathon on Sunday because we end up with about 30,000 runners and a couple million people on the streets of Manhattan, which reaffirms the fact that we’re tremendously resilient and can overcome anything…One of the proudest things that I watched and participated in after Sept. 11 was making sure the marathon took place (Bloomberg.com)

Come on Rudy. Let’s be real. The events of 9/11 occurred almost 2 months before the 2001 race. While the cleanup at Ground Zero continued for months, the city’s infrastructure was all but restored well before race day. Holding the race was a big emotional deal for the city and the country, but this situation is not the same.

Having 30,000 runners and a couple million people on the streets will add more pains to NYC’s already hemorrhoidal ass. Too many people aren’t going to be able to run the race. Too many resources are being taken from those who really need it.

Seriously NYRR, cancel the race and offer free transfers to the 2013 NYC Marathon.

Want to send NYRR your thoughts? Click here to send NYRR and NYRR CEO Mary Wittenberg a personal tweet! If you have other thoughts on the 2012 NYC Marathon share ‘em below or send me an e-mail at me@y2kemo.com.

paulakiger

Chris, I don’t have a personal dog in this hunt (since I am not running it) but I have lots of friends and family who are, a DEEP connection to the Autism Speaks team, and a love for NYC that really defies words. I think you make some really good points. While I am not ready to express a “definite yes” or “definite no” I think the biggest issue is the dilution of the emergency and support personnel who are still needed to deal with people left without power and water. It’ll be interesting to see what happens!
- http://y2kemo.com y2kemo
  
  The decision is definitely not cut-and-dry. And I agree, not for profits will take a hit if the race is cancelled. And that sucks. The priority, as you pointed out, should be with the emergency personnel that will be used in the race and taken from the disaster relief.
zgrunner

Chris, while I agree with you about the registration transfer to 2013 it’s important to think of how that money could help NYC right now. It would be nice if we could get transfered registration, but let’s be a bit realistic…maybe a discounted registration? NYC Marathon is the most expensive in the US and probably other parts of the world. Since I’m within driving distance, I have not had to make a call about the cancellation yet- however, if they were to offer that registration would be 1/2 price or something along those lines for next year then I would consider deferring. Whatever NYRR decides, whether to hold the race, or move it a week (or 2), or cancel it, would be fine and would be for the best interest of the city…however, they need to talk to the runners. Doesn’t have to be long, doesn’t have to be about the specifics of what’s going on but rather an email or FB status update where they give the assessment of the course and how safe it will be come Sunday. RIGHT NOW- all they need to do is to inform the registered runners of what’s going on. We understand is not all black and white, we are standing in a grey area- but within their contingency plan, NYRR must have a way to push the date or offer something better than deferring and giving them even more money next year- they just need to be fair to all of us who paid to run an amazing race!
- http://y2kemo.com y2kemo
  
  I would settle for a discounted 2013 registration if the money from this year’s entry went to the city to help rebuild. If not, transfer it over. Regardless, I’ll be running the race next year. Hope to see you then.
John Laws

I understand donating food to those who need it, but the food and drinks for the race were paid for by the runners. The world operates on capitalism so it makes sense that all parties involved are planning to conduct the race regardless. Any money generated is money that will stimulate the economy, especially after a disaster such as Sandy, and maybe the people coming to NY for the race will do more good than their measly marathon food and water would ever do for the population. Think about that! What if each individual spends more and gives back more? THere are more positives to the race than negatives, aside from potential logistical troubles.
John Laws

What I find odd too is that a lot of people are saying “divert time and energy from the NY marathon and spend that time and energy helping those in need.” Honestly, this argument can be made for any large city, disaster or no disaster! The time and energy has already been spent. What happens race day is the actualization of months of work and money spent. If people devote one day, or half of one day to the race, this isn’t harming victims of disaster. Again, if this is the logic behind why the marathon should not be run, take a look at any homeless or poor population in any US city where marathons are run – can’t time and energy be better spent helping the destitute on that day? We have to be rational about things – this is more of an emotional issue – diverting race volunteers to help on one day isn’t significantly going to help make the cleanup process any better or faster. I agree that the Marathon will be a break for most people, and before and after the marathon, the people who are helping with the aid effort can get right back to work. It appears that most of the city is functioning, even some restaurants functioned during the hurricane, taking orders and delivering food! I stand by the capitalist notion of spending money to stimulate the economy. Many people are not getting paid if their businesses aren’t open. It’s sad, but that’s how it is. I think there would be more of an issue if NYRR were thinking about having the marathon last Sunday, which would have warranted more of the debate of whether their decision is right or wrong. I feel that putting people’s lives in jeopardy is wrong, and having the NY marathon on Sunday is not putting anyone’s lives in jeopardy.
Jackie G

I’m a Greensboro runner planning to head to the marathon on Friday. My initial flight to JFK was cancelled by JetBlue but I was able to rebook into Newark, NJ instead. I’ll have to find transportation into Manhattan from there. Although it’s adding stress to figure out new travel arrangements (and possibly a new hotel) I feel like I spent months preparing for this marathon and am glad it’s still being held.
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Mary

The marathon should be canceled. Seems fairly obvious- any energy should be put towards helping those in need, it’s selfish to spend money and energy toward something recreational, meanwhile many are suffering as runners use perfectly good energy that could be placed toward helping others. Instead why don’t you create an optional means to help those in need- all of these people who signed up to run could come and help, warming others hearts and their own. Money that would have been used toward the race could be used to help those in need. It’s a kind and right way to live. That’s what I would try to put in place if I were able. Anyone who thinks it should go on, I hope that they have put themselves in the other’s shoes. Trying to imagine how you might feel if the roles were reversed.
Mary

I understand that life goes on and money on entertainment and other are happening every where in the US while many are suffering loss. It’s like rubbing it in the faces of those struggling from Sandy, while you run past. I understand the money spent for the race should go toward the race, it seems it should be postponed. It doesn’t seem right to hold the race right now…. just as for instance the Today Show decided not to do something as simple as dress up for Halloween on their show out of respect for others… it’s just not right. If you want the race money to go toward the race, it should be postponed. It’s not the right time.

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