Local runners surprised NYC marathon will go on

BOSTON (WHDH) -- Despite the devastation, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said runners will line up at the starting line for Sunday’s marathon.

Many are criticizing the decision, but local runners told 7News they’re ready to lace up their sneakers.

Bob Mallock served up lunch specials in his sneakers in the kitchen of his Westford restaurant, Manga Manga Italian Grille.

No carbo loading yet for Mallock, who is ready to run his first New York marathon Sunday. Race officials announced Wednesday that all systems are go for the 26.2-mile jaunt despite the devastation left behind from Hurricane Sandy.

“It is mixed emotions and having lived there and been through the city I’m interested to see how bad the devastation really is,” said Mallock.

Gene Fay, a member of the Borderline Running Club in North Andover, has been monitoring the marathon’s website trying to figure out how to get to the starting line.

“I was [surprised that the marathon is on]. I’ve been watching the news and my wife kept saying, ‘Are they really going to have it?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know,’” said Fay. “I would have thought they would have canceled it with the amount of stuff and just the pure logistics of getting 47,000 people into Manhattan.”

For the 43 year old who grew up in New Jersey, he said going forward with the race makes sense. This is his ninth New York marathon.

“I know I’m going to get to the start somehow and I’ll run the marathon and I know I’ll get home,” said Fay.

Fay and Mallock both crossed the finish line in Boston a few months ago. On that day, temperatures were near 100 degrees. This Sunday poses another challenge in New York City, another finish line and another weather-related issue after Sandy slammed New York.