Poll: Should the NYC Marathon go on as scheduled?

[Mpdsnowman]

Obviously when a tragedy like this happens it becomes a sensitive issue on both sides of the fence. On one hand the devastation is so bad and peoples lives are effected for years to come. People lost everything and even though they will rebuild their lives...it will never be the same...never. Lost photos of family, everything that was "you" is gone. And when I say "you" I mean, your life, your home, your street, your neighborhood and your neighbors....all gone!

One the other hand life has to go on. In an area like the meca where life is non stop literally things like the marathon are always happening. And those "things" if you will help shape and make NYC what it is today..

That being said obviously a median was worked out...The race was officially cancelled like it should have been. Were runners from around the world inconvenienced???....not as much as the ones effected by the storm were. In fact, they still ran a race! in NYC..

But ultimately this is a perfect example of how life moves on. Its just going to take a little longer and more patience for the people who need to rebuild.

For the runners lol...well there is always next year..unless of course something like this happens in your home town...training for a race in NYC might take a back seat....to having no back seat at all.....

 

[Warp Daddy]

Warp, I sent you a PM, but it's not showing up in my sent folder. My Sister lives in Stuy Town too. All of her services have been restored. She said that some people may still be without heat if they live in the units that were actually flooded, near the East River, avenue C. Have you been able to contact your Aunt? The management, with the help of volunteers, has been doing door to door checks of all residents. They have been bringing food to those who can't leave their apartments. Hope your Aunt is well.

Kudos to the would be race participants for chipping in and making the best of a raw deal for them.

p


Thanks CH this did nt show up on my pm so I sent u an email

all the best

Warp

 

[dmc]

Warp, I sent you a PM, but it's not showing up in my sent folder. My Sister lives in Stuy Town too. All of her services have been restored. She said that some people may still be without heat if they live in the units that were actually flooded, near the East River, avenue C. Have you been able to contact your Aunt? The management, with the help of volunteers, has been doing door to door checks of all residents. They have been bringing food to those who can't leave their apartments. Hope your Aunt is well.

Kudos to the would be race participants for chipping in and making the best of a raw deal for them.

My friends are back in Stuy Town now as well... Good thing...

 

[marcski]

I'm a lifetime New Yorker. Born in Brooklyn, grew up in the 'burbs about 20 miles from midtown. Moved back to the City for about 10 years during and after grad school and now live about 23 miles north of mid-town.

My thoughts are this: We had baseball games a week after 9-11. They should have run the Marathon.

Baseball became a rallying point for the City and the Country.

http://www.pbs.org/baseball-the-tenth-inning/america/our-baseball/

First Met home game was 10 days after 9-11:




"As we look back on the tragic events of 9/11/01, let's try to focus more on the unity that overcame the country, especially in New York City. The Mets' victory that night was not only a victory for the team, but it was also a victory for all of New York City. Slowly but surely, wounds were being healed, and New Yorkers conveyed the message that they were no longer afraid." Quoted from:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ter-91101-reverberates-for-new-york-mets-fans

 

[billski]

I'm with you marcski all the way. However I have an augmented view of things. One week out from 9-11 there wasn't much anyone could do about it. It was offices, not peoples home. I never want to diminish the agony of everyone. Most everyone seemed to know someone who perished. It was dreadful.

This storm was different. There are still people being rescued. There are still deaths occurring. There are many homeless. Gas lines ruptured, sewers collapsed, no water, no electric. People can still do something to help. The damage can be responded to in the short term. While many people suffered long term traumatic stress syndrome and other horrible conditions, they were treated over many many years. Again, I would never diminish the pain and agony of 9-11.

One difference is that people could still be urgently responded to. In 9-11, it was helplessness. God bless all who suffered in 9-11 and last week.

 

[riverc0il]

Not sure you can compare the storm to 9/11. Obviously, a lot more people died in 9/11. But the death and destruction was limited to one very small location. Except for those that died in the building or on the plane, everyone else was safe, had a home, had heat food water, etc. Had a way to get to work when they were ready to return. Entire neighborhoods (safe Ground Zero) were not disaster areas for days going on weeks. Additionally, the marathon was scheduled sooner than 10 days. I don't think a marathon would have served as a rallying point. With 9/11, people could sit down a watch the game and not fear for their personal well being on a very basic and primal level. That can't be said for the marathon. And there is of course difference in scope of who would care to rally around a marathon vs a baseball game. I don't know how you make that decision but I don't think a comparison to 9/11 is appropriate.

 

[Cannonball]

Not sure you can compare the storm to 9/11. Obviously, a lot more people died in 9/11. But the death and destruction was limited to one very small location. Except for those that died in the building or on the plane, everyone else was safe, had a home, had heat food water, etc. Had a way to get to work when they were ready to return. Entire neighborhoods (safe Ground Zero) were not disaster areas for days going on weeks. Additionally, the marathon was scheduled sooner than 10 days. I don't think a marathon would have served as a rallying point. With 9/11, people could sit down a watch the game and not fear for their personal well being on a very basic and primal level. That can't be said for the marathon. And there is of course difference in scope of who would care to rally around a marathon vs a baseball game. I don't know how you make that decision but I don't think a comparison to 9/11 is appropriate.

Very true. But even more importantly is the nature of the disaster. After 911 people needed a rallying point. They needed to show that they had not been beat down by someone else, that they bad guys hadn't won. There is no need to prove that point against the weather. There is no statement to be made. You just need to focus on rebuilding.

 

[JimG.]

Very true. But even more importantly is the nature of the disaster. After 911 people needed a rallying point. They needed to show that they had not been beat down by someone else, that they bad guys hadn't won. There is no need to prove that point against the weather. There is no statement to be made. You just need to focus on rebuilding.

+1

 

[〽❄❅]

\o/ Philly came thru - opened up 3000 spots in our sold out marathon for those who couldn't run NY. I suspect it raise the bar, should be a good race for the elite runners!