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Runners, already in New York, pack your backs…you are going back home without running the 2012 ING New York City Marathon according to the NYRR and Mayor Bloomberg’s office.

The race has been canceled after Bloomberg said two days ago that the race would go on as scheduled on November 4, 2012.

RUNNERS RESPOND TO CANCELATION ON TWITTER (READ)

Here is the Tweet from Bloomberg:

Marathon cancellation statement from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg & NYRR CEO Mary Wittenberg: “The Marathon has been an integral part of New York City’s life for 40 years and is an event tens of thousands of New Yorkers participate in and millions more watch. While holding the race would not require diverting resources from the recovery effort, it is clear that it has become the source of controversy and division. The marathon has always brought our city together and inspired us with stories of courage and determination. We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants, and so we have decided to cancel it. 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 New York Road Runners will have additional information in the days ahead for participants.”

The decision has been confirmed by NBC, ABC News, and ESPN.

The decision is a horrible one coming today. Two days ago it would have been the right decision. Instead runners from all over the world have been traveling to the city this weekend to run in the famed #NYCM.

Bad decision followed by another bad decision after preparations to hold the event and runners were already at the Expo checking in for the event.

The NYRR have a cancelation insurance policy and should be able to collect up to $427,000 according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell.

Bloomberg is no Mayor Giuliani when it comes to making the right calls during disasters.

Agree? Disagree? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

Hurricane Sandy came close to making the 2012 ING New York City Marathon not take place, but Mayor Bloomberg has spoken and it will go on as planned.

This will also be the first year since 1993 that the marathon will be aired nationally on television.

The NYC Marathon will air on ESPN 2 on Sunday, November 4, 2012 from 9am – 12:30pm ET.

ESPN’s Darren Rovell also got this interesting tidbit out of NYRR CEO Mary Wittenberg:

We’ve had names on bibs for five or six years. What we’ve done this year is tell the uniform and shoe companies not to give athletes who are similar in height the same outfits or shoe colors. We also know the picture will be clearer than ever before because it will be in HD for the first time. It will pop like a painting with the runners and all the fall colors.

Tune in on Sunday to watch one of the most popular marathons in the world take place live.

Former New England Patriots all-pro and current ESPN commentator Tedy Bruschi ran and finished the 2012 Boston Marathon on Monday.

He completed the course, along with his wife Heidi Bruschi, with a finishing time of 5:26:02.

Heidi beat out the old linebacker by a second (they ran it together) in 5:26:01.  They hit the halfway point at 2:31:25.

Tedy ran to raise money for stroke survivors. Bruschi suffered a mild stroke in 2005 just days after playing in the Pro Bowl.

Related 2012 Boston Marathon Links:

• Wesley Korir Wins the 116th Boston Marathon (Results)
• Sharon Cherop Wins the 2012 Boston Marathon (Female Results)
• 116th Boston Marathon Live Blog (2012)
• Good Luck to all Run It Fast Members Running the Boston Marathon
• BAA’s Latest Heat Warning to Runners for Monday’s Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Offering Deferments to Runners for 2013 Race Due to Projected Heat
• 2012 Boston Marathon Field of Elite Runners
• Tom Gounley Plans to Juggle (The Entire Way) While Running the Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Elevation Chart
• Runners Respond to Marathonjunkie’s Boston Marathon Charity Runners Comments
• Marathonjunkie’s Controversial Comments on Boston Marathon Charity Runners Stirs Debate

Elite marathoner and devout Christian Ryan Hall is nude as can be in ESPN’s 2011 ‘Bodies We Want‘ issue.

In the photo, Hall is seen running nude through the woods while displaying his perfect form that led to his fastest U.S. marathon time ever at the 2011 Boston Marathon.

The issue often ruffles up feathers and creates controversy for the athletes included in the spreads.

I have to admit that Hall is one of the last athletes I expected to see baring all for the camera in the 2011 edition.

You can view Hall’s perfect naked running form through the woods HERE at ESPN (SFW).

You can view all of the 2011 ‘Bodies We Want’ photo spreads HERE at ESPN.

Other athletes including in the ‘Body Issue’ include: Hope Solo, Blake Griffin, Jose Reyes, Alicia Sacramone, Steven Jackson, Gretchen Bleiler, Zera Zvonareva, Belen Mozo, Sylvia Fowles, Natasha Hastings, Julie Chu, Jon Jones, Apolo Anton Ohno, Sergio Martinez, Ryan Kesler, Stephanie Gilmore, Jeremy Campbell, Suzy Hotrod, Kelly Kulick, Louie Vito, and Helio Castroneves.

ESPN’s First Take anchor Dana Jacobson finished her first half marathon on Sunday in Philadelphia at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon.

Jacobson ran the 13.1 mile course in a time of 2:19:49.

Congrats to Dana and her coach Bart Yasso who helped her train via one of his patented Runner’s World training programs.

Dana tweeted afterwards, “The @RunRocknRoll folks are amazing put on a great show! Made me feel so welcome can’t wait for another.”

So it looks like Dana has the bug like the rest of us now!

[image: @djacobsonespn]