NEW YORK — Falling temperatures on Sunday put more people at risk in a region already battling gasoline shortages, stubborn power outages and spasms of lawlessness in the wake ofSuperstorm Sandy.
With temperatures in the 30s and more than 700,000 people still without power in the area, some who were planning to run in the canceled New York City Marathon instead headed to Staten Island on Sunday morning to volunteer to help storm victims.
Other disappointed runners staged impromptu races of their own. Thousands poured into Central Park shortly after dawn including teams of runners from Italy, Germany and Spain who began running their own personal marathons. A little more than four laps around the park will do it.
It's a throwback to the beginning of New York's marathon, which was run inside the park.
"A lot of people just want to finish what they've started," said Lance Svendsen, the organizer of a group called Run Anyway.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was reluctant to plunge back into the controversy over the last-minute cancellation. He put off questions about the marathon at a Saturday briefing and focused on what he said were more pressing matters.
"I spoke with many people who were worried and frustrated and cold," Bloomberg said. "There is no power there and temperatures are dropping. Even those who have generators are having a hard time getting fuel."
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