The New York City Marathon will proceed on Sunday according to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg; but not all of the runners will be there.
Getting into the
New York City Marathon is one of the biggest challenges for a runner. Ron Winn of Tulsa has been running for 30 years and on Sunday he was supposed to race in the prestigious marathon.
“I wanted to experience the New York City marathon as it really is, as a celebration,” said Winn.
Hurricane Sandy changed everything. Dozens of lives were lost, thousands of homes flooded, and people left homeless.
“I just feel sorry for the people up there and what they are going through,” said Winn.
Winn said that it was stressful to watch the news and see all of the devastation, all the while wondering if the marathon would still go on.
On Tuesday Winn’s flight into the metro area of NYC was canceled. Instead of feeling frustration or sadness, Winn told FOX23 that he felt like a weight had been lifted.
“I was relieved when I found out that I wouldn’t be running,” said Winn, “Just based off of the circumstances I would rather go back next year.”
Winn said he is concerned about how other people will interpret the marathon. “I wasn’t sure if people would see the race as an intrusion into what’s going on or they would see it as encouragement.”
Ron might not be participating, but Mayor Bloomberg says that the race will continue to show the resiliency of the city.
“I hope it works out that way,” said Winn.
The marathon starts in Staten Island and winds its way through all five of the city’s boroughs. Some say the race will take fire and police officers away from helping people in need. Ron says his heart is too heavy run there in NYC this year.
Ron will get to defer this race and still have an opportunity to run in the New York City Marathon next year.
“I’ll be looking forward to next year,” said Winn, “I would like to go back there when it is a celebration again.”
