The site where 45,000 runners are scheduled to congregate to start the New York City Marathon is closed due to the federal government shutdown.
Organizers for the Nov. 3 race are aware of this and are developing a contingency plan should Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island remain unavailable in three weeks’ time, according to reports. The plan would involve an alternate staging site but not a different starting line.
New York Road Runners CEO Mary Wittenberg said a plan for an alternate Staten Island staging site was 70 percent complete Thursday, according to the Wall Street Journal.
A decision on a separate staging plan is expected to be made next week, according to the report.
The 2012 New York City Marathon was canceled due to Superstorm Sandy. This year’s event will also have extra security after the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a New York Road Runners spokesperson have expressed confidence the New York City Marathon will proceed.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that as many as 3,000 charity spots remain open for entrants. A minimum of $2,500 must be raised for a charity spot.
