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NEW YORK —The New York City Marathon was cancelled on Friday by Mayor Michael
Bloomberg after mounting criticism that this was not the time for a race while
the region is still recovering from Superstorm Sandy. Terrell Davis Jersey . With people in
storm-ravaged areas shivering without electricity and the death toll in the city
at more than 40, many New Yorkers recoiled at the prospect of police officers
being assigned to protect a marathon, storm victims being evicted from hotels to
make way for runners, and big generators humming along at the finish-line tents
in Central Park. Around 47,500 runners from around the globe had been expected
to take part in the 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometre) event Sunday, with more than 1
million spectators usually lining the route for the worlds largest marathon. The
race had been scheduled to start in Staten Island, one of the storms hardest-hit
places. Bloomberg had pressed ahead with plans run the marathon on schedule, but
opposition intensified quickly Friday afternoon from the city controller,
Manhattan borough president and sanitation workers. Finally, the mayor backed
down about three hours later. “We would not want a cloud to hang over the race
or its participants, and so we have decided to cancel it,” Bloomberg said in a
statement. “We cannot allow a controversy over an athletic event—even one as
meaningful as this—to distract attention away from all the critically
important work that is being done to recover from the storm and get our city
back on track.” The cancellation means there wont be another NYC Marathon until
next year. Bloomberg called the marathon an “integral part of New York Citys
life for 40 years” and “an event tens of thousands of New Yorkers participate in
and millions more watch.” He still insisted that holding the race would not
require diverting resources from the recovery effort, but understood the level
of friction. “It is clear it that it has become the source of controversy and
division,” Bloomberg said. “The marathon has always brought our city together
and inspired us with stories of courage and determination. Bloombergs decision
came just a day after he appealed to the grit and resiliency of New Yorkers,
saying “This city is a city where we have to go on.” The nationally televised
race winds through the citys five boroughs and has been held annually since 1970
—it was held in 2001, about two months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“This race is a very special one for me and millions of people around the world,
but I understand why it cannot be held under the current circumstances,” said
Meb Keflezighi, the 2009 mens champion. “Any inconveniences the cancellation
causes me or the thousands of runners who trained and travelled for this race
pales in comparison to the challenges faced by people in NYC and its vicinity in
the aftermath of Sandy. New York is my favourite place to race, so I will be
back to participate in other events soon.” As for the amateur runners, Nikki
Davies of London arrived Friday looking forward to the race. “I can understand
not wanting to run through devastated parts of the city,” she said. “I thought
if they cancel it, theyd cancel it earlier.” But she plans to stay in New York
for 10 days. On her agenda? “A lot of sightseeing,” she said. The marathon
usually is a civic celebration. Not just for elite runners, the race attracts
crowds that gather in the five boroughs to cheer family and friends, hold up
encouraging posters, distribute water cups and drape silver wraps around the
shoulders of the finishers. In buildings along the route, there are untold
numbers of parties, ranging from catered feasts to grilled burgers. Thousands
lined Central Park as Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya set a course record last year in 2
hours, 5 minutes, 6 seconds. By the time last-place finisher Mouldi Fehri of
France was nearing the end in 9:31:43, traffic had reopened on Central Park
South and people hardly took notice. Sue Ann Ng Martinez of Old Bridge, New
Jersey, finished 46,535th and next to last, the final woman across the line in
2011. This year, she was focused on victims trying to copy with their losses.
“Im more concerned about the people in Staten Island,” Martinez said. People
from all over the globe come to New York for the race. Retired Manchester United
goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar had a 4:19 time last year in his first marathon and
trained four months this time hoping to improve Sunday. His wife and two
children travelled with him from Amsterdam on Thursday and his family planned to
run in a 5K on Saturday. “When you see the relief effort at the moment and
people without water and electricity and certain basic needs, its probably for
the better to get the resources to the people who really need it,” he said. Some
runners at the New Yorker Hotel in midtown—just above the blackout zone
caused by the superstorm—were in the lobby crying when they learned the race
was off. One person was curled up on a couch, sobbing. “We spend a year on
this,” said Gisela Clausen of Munich. “We dont eat what we want. We dont drink
what we want. And were on the streets for hours. We live for this marathon, but
we understand.” In one corner of the New Yorker, a group of Italian runners
watched the news with blank looks. “I have no words,” said Roberto DellOlmo,
from Vercelli, Italy. Then later: “I would like that the money I give from the
marathon goes to victims.” Peyton Manning Elite Jersey . The team
recalled Todd Redmond from Triple-A Gwinnett to pitch out of the bullpen.
Beachy, who leads the major leagues with his 2.00 ERA, will have a MRI on
Monday. Beachy left Saturday nights game against Baltimore in the fourth inning.
Knowshon Moreno Jersey . The talented wide
receiver was arrested Monday after being accused of attacking his mother during
an argument, hitting her arms and face. http://www.shopthebroncos.com/peyton-manning-jersey
. “Great job, Manu,” Parker said, having heard hardly a word of Ginobilis
five-minute, question-and-answer session. After losing for the first time since
mid-April, it was time for the San Antonio Spurs to face an entirely different
set of questions Friday with their Western Conference finals lead over Oklahoma
City cut to 2-1. Shannon Sharpe Jersey . Shin had three
straight birdies on the front nine and added two more after the turn, offsetting
a bogey at No. 9. She won at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in 2010 and 2008.
Eric Decker Jersey . —The Oakland Athletics
hardly needed any additional motivation for this key September series with
playoff implications. BATON ROUGE, La. —When Alfred Blue wasnt running away
from the Washington Huskies, Kenny Hilliard and Spencer Ware were running over
them. That left quarterback Zach Mettenberger with little more to do than pivot
and hand off, letting third-ranked LSUs stable of running backs pound the
overmatched Huskies for a 41-3 victory Saturday night. “Those dudes are beasts
back there,” Mettenberger said of LSUs running backs. “They just really pounded
(Washingtons) defensive line. That just makes them really tired. The key there
is that makes it easier to pass because they are tired and cant rush as hard as
they would like. I know I saw that tonight. Thats just LSU football and how we
want to play each and every week.” Blue rushed for 101 yards, including a
21-yard score, and LSU (2-0) gained 242 yards on the ground. “All this week in
practice the coaching staff was talking about how we need to be physical,
especially up front,” Blue said. “I had the mindset from that first play to come
out and be a dominant runner tonight. Fortunately enough, thanks to a great
offensive line up front, I was able to do that.” Hilliard added a pair of short
touchdowns and fullback J.C. Copeland pounded through the pile for another score
for LSU, which basically ran at will while averaging nearly 5 yards per carry.
“Their running backs are big, hard runners, hard to tackle,” Washington
defensive tackle Danny Shelton said. Mettenberger was efficient when called
upon, going 12 of 18 for 195 yards, including a 32-yard scoring pass to Kadron
Boone. James Wright caught five passes for 75 yards. Keith Price was 17 of 36
for 157 yards for the Huskies (1-1). Normally a good scrambler, Price had
trouble with LSUs speedy defenders, who sacked him four times and intercepted
him once when freshman Jalen Mills stepped in front of a fourth-down pass that
was thrown into traffic and on the run. “I felt the pressure and tried to get
out a couple times, and you see I threw a pick trying to do too much,” Price
said. “We didnt throw the ball well and we didnt run the ball well.” Washington,
looking somewhat jittery under LSUs constant pressure, committed 11 penalties,
dropped passes and blew assignments. That allowed LSU to quickly build a
double-digit lead, and Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian figured his team would be
in for a long night. “Thats when they can lean on you in the running game and
wear you down, and then start rushing the passer, which they do so well,” he
said of LSU. “We have to try to find our identity offensively, what were going
to be on the offensive side of the ball so that we can find some continuity as a
unit. Von Miller Womens Jersey. . Obviously it was
tough for us to get that tonight.” LSU has won 39 straight against
non-conference opponents in the regular season, tying a Football Bowl
Subdivision record first set by Kansas State. Next weekend, the Tigers play
Idaho, another non-conference opponent, and the game is at home, where LSU has
won 19 straight. Washington managed only 183 total yards, including only 26 on
the ground. LSU had 437 yards and dominated time of possession, 33:39 to 26:21.
Only four of the Huskies 12 drives ended in LSU territory, and the only scoring
drive started on the LSU 20-yard line, where Odell Beckham Jr. fumbled the
opening kickoff. The Huskies were close to converting the turnover into a
touchdown, but Jaydon Mickens bobbled a catch as he went out of bounds on the
left side of the end zone, forcing Washington to settle for Travis Coons 34-yard
field goal to make it 3-0. “We had a couple opportunities I thought early in the
game that maybe could have changed the complexion of it,” Sarkisian said. “We
just werent able to execute against a team like this.” Australian Brad Wings
first punt of the season, a 62-yarder into the wind that went out of bounds at
the Huskies 4, created an early field position swing that helped LSU to its
first score. After the Huskies failed to muster a first down, LSUs next drive
started on the Washington 38, and soon after Blue burst past left tackle Josh
Dworaczyks block for his scoring run to make it 7-3. LSU went ahead 14-3 on
Copelands 1-yard burst through the line, capping a seven-play, 47-yard drive
consisting only of running plays. The Tigers had opportunities to pull away more
quickly than they did, but at least four of Mettenbergers six incompletions came
on accurate passes that were dropped. “Our quarterback played very well, he was
very kind of on the money,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “If we eliminate those
drops, were well over 200 yards passing which is kind of a landmark for us.” LSU
had to settle for one of Drew Allemans two field goals in the second quarter
after Russell Shepard dropped a pass in the end zone that hit him in the
numbers. The Tigers led 20-3 at halftime, but were even more dominant in the
second half as they pulled away. “From an offensive perspective we thrive on
breaking an opposing defences will,” receiver Jarvis Landry said. “Running the
ball late and seeing defensive players on the other side tired and just not as
fast as they used to be is a great thing.” ’ ’ ’