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Runner’s World Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso on the decision to cancel the NYC Marathon because of the hurricane.
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Is right now -- New York City Marathon is that officially canceled super -- sandy -- destruction throughout the New York City area for days ago.
-- all this time Mayor Bloomberg has been insisting.
That the marathon and marathon would go on as planned this Sunday but now.
The mayor confirms the marathon -- we'll be canceled.
After all he just -- -- joining me now -- a Fox Business explicit.
Is famed Mara potter -- -- so he's the chief running officer with runner's world engineer reaction to this news.
-- you know I'm shocked when I came into the city left my home in Pennsylvania where we didn't have any power in when I got here -- you know -- listened to the -- press conference and he said.
You know the race was on and you know wasn't gonna affect they weren't -- take any resources away from people that need help that were devastated by.
Sandy so I supported his decision knowing that.
Yes and.
I mean he was -- earlier today he was on the air anyway he came out and at the time -- about 1 o'clock this afternoon eastern time and he insisted that it was gonna continue even though there was so much pressure.
The front of every paper today showing pictures of generators.
That we're gonna be used to power.
Media and other things in Central Park when there are -- All all over the region desperate for generators first heat for fuel I mean don't you think that that's a tough south.
Yeah you know I think is putting a tough position at this point and the you know -- thousands of runners are already in New York City.
Don't want all the hotel and restaurants are all down you know I was with I was surrounded by -- all day about the expo.
And I got met them -- I spoke to no one was talking about their personal race or what they're gonna do on Sunday they were all talking about.
How the storm affected this city and they did have concern for all those citizens that lost their homes or were displaced are still without power.
Also was on everyone's mind but I'm assuming.
You know America.
Have to assess everything him where this capped at a certain point where they thought it was -- Smart thing to do the cancel the race.
But there -- so much pressure it -- it I -- it was so hard to watch the organizers get together bottles of water blankets generators the exact thing.
That desperate people all over the region needed I mean that was the image that stock was so many people.
And how did those images impact the runners that we're getting ready to run you talk to -- how -- they feel.
-- that yeah my -- talked about you know they're gonna have toilets and we would be.
You know -- -- water throughout the course and they were concerned they really weren't and I guarantee you everywhere are.
Our -- -- given up their resources that they would abuse in this race to send a Staten Island there breezy point -- ever people need resources so.
You know runners are pretty caring group there's so much money raised for charity through this great race so you know.
It's just a sad thing but you know I gotta trust Tamara -- -- you know through a lot of rough times in this city through his tenure and he always seems that make the right decision so.
I'm assuming you really looked at the resources they have and how it's gonna affect people and he felt that the Smart -- Smart thing to do yeah accelerates.
You -- we started to show you are prepared to come out here in disagree with me about whether or not this race should be run you know I just thought that does recess issue go elsewhere I certainly understand.
You -- that this spirit that he was trying to evoke was this idea that New Yorkers.
You know we -- -- had -- highs and we'll work through anything and that the show will go on the marathon will go on but it just came to be too much pressure when you look at.
The resource is that are needed elsewhere you're prepared to come out here -- say.
That was right the -- should go on did you change your mind.
I was prepared to stand behind -- -- statement that he made in the race for the go and personally I was gonna run rates yeah and be what the runners that.
Thought it was the right thing to do to go out there -- so yes I personally was behind a statement.
Now that you know again I'm I'm not -- stalling information he -- on what kind of resources people don't have on Staten Island and other parts of the city.
He is privileged that information so there you know now I absolutely support his decision not to run a race -- resources are needed we gotta go where the people need the resources yet disappointing but now we got all pulled together and get past this -- -- thank you for coming on our -- we appreciate I hope you'll come back thank you so much.
