SUPERSTORM SANDY AFTERMATH: NYC MARATHON CANCELLED, KNICKS RUN OVER HEAT
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Nov 2012
Mayor Michael Bloomberg cancelled the New York City Marathon Friday for the very important reason that the area is still recovering from the wrath of superstorm Sandy. Criticisms piled up upon the initial plan to continue the popular footrace amidst the major devastation hounding the Big Apple.
"We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants, and so we have decided to cancel it," the mayor said in an announcement over CBS News. "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 recover from the storm and get our city back on track.
Mary Wittenberg, president of New York Road Runners (NYRR) which organizes the marathon, said that race officials were planning a modified race or postponing the marathon. But in the end they finally decided to cancel this year?s edition and all supplies, to include generators, food and water be given to the storm victims who need them most.
This is the first time in its 42-year-history that the marathon has been cancelled. About 47,000 runners were expected to compete on Sunday and many of these runners were disgruntled having spent huge amounts of money to travel to New York.
Thousands of storm victims are still languishing in blackouts and number of dead in New York City is now more than 40. The hardest-hit was Staten Island where the marathon was supposed to start.
Bloomberg considered the marathon an "integral part of New York City's life for 40 years and an event tens of thousands of New Yorkers participate in and millions more watch." Earlier, the mayor decided to continue this weekend's marathon. But the move drew a horde of criticisms with some New Yorkers, including some runners, declaring this is not the time for a road race.
On the other hand, the New York Knicks delivered a rampaging 104-84 victory over defending champions Miami Heat at the Madison Square Garden on the same day the NYC Marathon was cancelled. As if to prove that the destruction of the storm would not dampen their spirits and together they would recover from the tragedy.
Carmelo Anthony powered the Knicks with 30 points and 10 rebounds, as they forced the Heat to commit 21 turnovers, with Lebron James getting five, despite topscoring for the Heat with 23 points. Miami was fresh from a 13-point win over the Boston Celtics.
The Knicks fired 19 three pointers and delivered 27 assists while dominating the boards with 13 offensive rebounds. Steve Novak contributed 17 including five three pointers, and Raymond Felton buried 14 with nine assists.
This is only the first of the 41 games the Knicks will host at the fabled Madison Square Garden, but the most meaningful in the aftermath of a terrible hurricane.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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