Many San Diego-based runners were on flights headed to New York Friday as the news broke that the New York City Marathon was cancelled.
While some felt disappointment, most were understanding of the decision to cancel the race following the massive destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy on the East Coast.
One of those San Diego-based runners en route to NYC was Jessica Bledsoe, who’s married to NBC 7’s own Greg Bledsoe.
“I was at the expo when I heard from a friend who texted me and said that the NY marathon has been cancelled,” said Bledsoe. “We had wanted to try to volunteer and help out so now maybe there's extra time for that.”
Although many runners flew across the country for the race, Sandy’s aftermath was far too powerful to ignore.
The 26.2-mile race would’ve wound its way through each borough in the city – a virtual tour of the Superstorm’s wake.
Despite the cancellation of the marathon, it’s unlikely that participants will be reimbursed. The same goes for local business owners, including Encinitas-based Cindy Lynch.
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Her company, RunningSkirts.com, was prepared to sell their sportswear at the three-day expo leading up to the marathon.
However, with no means of transporting her merchandise, she said she will now lose close to $50,000.
Still, Lynch said that’s nothing compared to what Americans directly affected by Sandy have lost.
“At the same time, it's not going to hurt us [nearly as much] as the people who lost lives and lost their homes, so we can't really complain,” said Lynch.
Meanwhile, San Diego’s own Olympic runner, Meb Keflezighi, who won the NYC Marathon in 2009 told NBC 7 that the cancellation of the race was understandable in the midst of Sandy’s aftermath.
In a statement to NBC 7, Keflezighi said:
"I would like to wish all of the people in the city and region the very best in the recovery efforts. I would also like to encourage all my fans to contribute what they can to the storm relief funds."
Those who would like to donate toward relief efforts can do so by visiting redcross.org.
