The Underground Marathon

          How did this year's New York marathon get to be known as "the underground marathon"? Here in the Midwest Region we have not been too physically effected by Hurricane Sandy. A couple of rains here, a couple of gusts of wind there but really, that's it. My brother got off the phone yesterday with his friend from New York and quickly told me, "The storm is crazy out there. My friend just told me a tree went right through his house." Since we are so far removed, it is hard to imagine the effects it has had and the devastation much of America's east coast is going through. Let's look at it through the lens of the New York marathon to see some positive outcomes of the storm.

"Runners took the ferry with supplies to distribute to
residents of Staton Island."

          The New York Marathon traditionally takes place on the first Sunday of November, which would be today! Runners from all over the world have come in past years to run this in Central Park for a great experience. But, this year it was cancelled because of Hurricane Sandy. Despite the cancellation, Americans came together. Thousands of runners showed up for the marathon as a symbol of unity to help fellow Americans. Flags were waved, a symbol of the runners victory, to help those devastated. Because supplies were few, New Yorkers took it upon themselves and improvised to bring what they could: "Diana Binger of Mount Kisco, New York, not only had her 2-year-old son, Owen, in her stroller, but also an impressive stash of Gatorade, bananas..." Runners ran for charity to help victims and help recovery efforts of Hurricane Sandy. While some runners ran through Central Park, others "collected donations for storm victims while going for a run." Thus, becoming known as "the underground marathon."
         People have still continued to show unity from the happenings of Hurricane Sandy. While not having power, people in one of my family friend's building all came together and spent two days in the dark. Everyone brought the non-perishable food they had to have a party and stay with each other. Because of the storm he met people in his own building that he may have never met before. He had a great time.
         After devastating events, it is always important to have support and stay together. We see this now with Hurricane Sandy, but we also saw it in the past with the attacks on 9/11. Though devastated and in fear, America came together to show patriotism and unity. We see similar happenings now as people help fellow American citizens and truly care about each other. The silver lining to events like these is that we really see the great humanitarian side of our neighbors.