An anonymous person claiming to be a New York City Marathon worker who represents “a handful” of other race staffers has distributed a letter asking for the event to be cancelled in light of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. In the letter, which was given to David Segal of the Long Island Progressive Coalition in the hopes they would distribute it, the author says the New York Road Runners club, which hosts the race, is sitting on a vast amount of supplies that could be used to help aid storm victims. The letter also claims police and first responders will be “pulled away from their jobs to staff the marathon.”
“Who could provide more assistance in this time of need than an organization like the New York Road Runners, who, in preparing for the marathon have amassed tens of thousands of bottles of water, apples, bags of nuts, pounds of pasta, medical blankets, and ponchos. Not to mention the scores of staff and volunteers, the trucks, the generators, etc,” the letter says. “Except for maybe the police and first responders who will be pulled away from their jobs to staff the marathon.”
Update (5:15 p.m.): NBC News is reporting the race will be cancelled.
Update (5:33 p.m.): And it’s confirmed, Mayor Michael Bloomberg released a statement announcing his decision to cancel the race.
The author of the letter, who said they wish to remain anonymous to protect their job, provided Mr. Segal with copies of internal documents that appear to be legitimate and a picture of their staff ID with their name and photo covered to prove they work for the race. They said they are being supported by several co-workers. This evidence was shown to Politicker though we have not been able to independently verify this author of the letter works for the race.
Read More
