Some NYC marathon runners dropping out of race, volunteering to help instead

As of this morning, none of the other Marathon runners have joined Krakoff, but give it time—she only announced this last night at 11 p.m. The decision to go forward with the Marathon is quickly developing into a public relations nightmare for the Bloomberg administration, which has been generally praised for its initial handling of the hurricane preparations. Yesterday we reported that the Marathon was using generators and volunteers to organize the finish line in Central Park, and we wondered if this was an appropriate use of resources in a city so recently devastated by a natural disaster. Today that’s the cover of the New York Post.

Krakoff is still exploring the best way to volunteer on Staten Island on Sunday, and she’s reached out to Borough President James Molinaro. We’ll update as more Staten Island volunteering details become available, but the Borough President’s website has a list of needed supplies and where to donate them. Yesterday, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis asked volunteers to bring donations of clothing, blankets, food, towels, water, and pet food to Rab’s Country Lanes at 1600 Hylan Blvd. in Dongan Hills until 4 p.m.