The 2012 ING New York City Marathon: An Alternative Finish Line

For the first time in its 42-year history, the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 4, 2012, was cancelled due to divisive reactions to the hosting of the event in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a "superstorm" that ravaged the East Coast, caused massive flooding, deaths and power outages, and instigated a fuel shortage during its aftermath. The decision, made by city officials and race organizers New York Road Runners, was made two days before the scheduled event—after most runners arrived for the race.

Instead of running through the five boroughs, cheered on by robust and vocal spectators, runners defined their own finish lines on Marathon Sunday.