Travel with Terri
Hurricane Sandy: Changing runners into champions
By Terri Marshall, Photos courtesy of New York Runners in Support of Staten Island
My December column was supposed to be about the charming town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania – the “Christmas City”. I was all set to visit in early November where I would be learning about the town’s history and bringing you the story of the Christmas spirit that lives on in that community. All of that changed when the winds of Hurricane Sandy stormed into the Northeast leaving a path of unprecedented destruction in her wake. My trip was canceled.
I live in New York City and like the other 8 million plus residents in the five boroughs of this massive city (not to mention Long Island and New Jersey residents) we prepared for the storm by making sure there were flashlights, batteries and candles in the apartment, cash in our pockets and gas in the car. As a former Florida resident I had hurricane experience so I knew more than most about preparing for a storm.
As the city ground to a halt, closing businesses, discontinuing bus service and shutting down the subway system, we settled in for a quiet night at home. Our apartment overlooks the Hudson River and from our vantage point above the river, we watched as buildings across the Hudson in New Jersey blackened from loss of power. Brilliant displays of blue lights flashed beyond the George Washington Bridge rivaling a laser light show as transformers exploded. But inside our safe haven, the lights only flickered.
Once the storm passed, news starting coming in about the flooded tunnels where the subway has traveled for over 100 years – the reports were of “unprecedented damage.” The Hudson River had swelled over the walls of lower Manhattan to meet the East River which had also risen to stretch its watery arms across the city. Aided by the winds, a fire had ravaged over 100 homes in Queens’ Breezy Point community. And on Staten Island, the damage was unimaginable.
In the midst of all the heartbreak and damage Sandy left in her wake, a controversy was brewing. As flights resumed, runners from all over the world began arriving into the New York area. Coming to test their endurance and training by running the iconic New York City Marathon, these were people embarking on the race of a lifetime. The marathon – always a celebration of the unity of all five boroughs of the city – was slated to start (as it always does) on Staten Island. But how?
How could runners go to Staten Island, line up for a race and run away from all the destruction behind them? How could anyone ask the police to leave their posts in the storm ravaged neighborhoods to work crowd control for a race? How could hundreds of generators be lined up in Central Park for media tents when thousands had no power? Sure, continuing with the race would show how resilient New York City is in a crisis, but at what cost?
preparing for the upcoming race, she felt the conflict within her heart. She was looking forward to the race, but she was a New Yorker…and these were her neighbors. Was it the right thing to do?
It was during Jeanne’s e-mail exchange between other New York based marathoners that word came of the cancellation. The e-mail discussion quickly shifted from plans for the race to plans for the day. A conference call was organized and everyone agreed – there had to be something they could do to help.
Capitalizing on the skills, connections and strengths of each individual, Jeanne and her friends put together a plan that started with a Facebook page titled “New York Runners in Support of Staten Island.” The page was set up late on Friday afternoon and by Saturday morning, it had received over 1,000 fans!
Staten Island on Sunday (marathon day) and use their long distance running skills to deliver supplies and information to those in desperate need. Details of the plan were posted on Facebook and organizers hoped for a turnout of 300 or more runners. On Sunday morning they were met with a sea of orange marathon t-shirts – over 1200 runners – ready to do whatever was needed to help!
Erol Sarikaya was among the organizers. “I knew that we wanted to help, but how?” he says. “This was a fluid situation with decisions being made as circumstances changed. We had no idea what we would face when we arrived.” Daniel Ifcher was also one of the group’s organizers. “There was this amazing ground swell of commitment of time and energy among runners from all over the world,” he recalls. “There was a group of women from the Netherlands who volunteered their time. Ironically, they were dispatched to the area of Staten Island called New Dorf – translation, New Dutch!”
Putting aside their disappointment of the cancellation of the race, the runners redirected their strength and endurance toward helping those who were hurting. Runners were organized into teams with assignments of running varying distances – some as much as 14 miles – to delivery supplies and information. Their backpacks were loaded with water and other basic supplies as well as information sheets from FEMA and even directions for voting in the upcoming presidential election.
“We were there before FEMA and the American Red Cross,” says Erol. “We didn’t know what we would encounter and often it was a matter of stopping and asking what someone needed.” Some spent hours moving water soaked furniture from homes. Others assisted by ripping out saturated sheetrock from the walls. For some, it was simply a matter of listening. The distraught residents needed to know someone cared about them, they needed to know they weren’t forgotten.
“It was the power of selflessness that impressed me most” says Erol. “Looking back, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.”
The commitment of the local runners has continued far beyond race day. Each Sunday they meet at the Staten Island Ferry and offer their time and energy to the residents still needing so much. On Thanksgiving, they were there serving meals in the community. The Facebook page continues to be active (and growing) as others are joining in the relief efforts.
These runners will not receive the coveted New York City Marathon medal this year, but they are true champions. The hope and support they have given to New Yorkers in need will endure far beyond 26.2 miles.
Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. Also, check out her blog at www.trippingwithterri.com. You can contact Terri at terri.marshall60@gmail.com.