NEW YORK - New York City has canceled its annual marathon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, as Sunday's race had become a lightning rod for residents frustrated by the disastrous aftermath of mega-storm Sandy.
Bloomberg said the race was being canceled because it had become a "source of controversy and division."
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Some people had set up online petitions calling for runners to boycott the 26.2-mile competition, or to run backward from the starting line in protest.
The New York City marathon is one of the world's most popular sporting events and, according to pre-storm estimates, was expected to draw about 47,000 runners.
