NYC Marathon

Bloomberg wouldn't have cancelled it if not for the New York Post. On the front page, they ran a picture of the 400 generators set up to run the administration tent and signs with the headline, "Abuse of Power". When people all over the city saw this, the feedback was overwhelming and Bloomberg gave in. Freedom of the Press in action.

Some runners griped after the announcement, but a lot of runners had already planned to boycott the race and join protests or relief efforts at the time of the race instead. There was a story on the national news last night citing one hotel owner who was not honoring reservations of marathoners because he had opened the hotel as a refuge to many residents of New York and New Jersey who had lost their homes. Good for him, choosing to help his neighbors over taking money from customers; a pretty brave stance. I'm sure it was aggravating to the tourist runners (and some of them may hold a grudge against him in the future), but they aren't stuck without homes right now.

Holding out initially to have the race was just plain stupid and I'm glad the press acted to prevent him making that mistake.

Critics — including lawmakers — had slammed Bloomberg's earlier decision to hold the marathon as "idiotic," insensitive and a diversion of city resources at a time when New Yorkers have lost power, their homes and their loved ones.

Thousands of runners joined online appeals to boycott the event or volunteer instead on Sunday to help stricken families.

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NYC Marathon canceled amid criticism