The New York City Marathon will not take place as planned on Monday, according to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
A backlash against plans to hold the race in the wake of superstorm Sandy prompted the decision, with Bloomberg saying they didn't want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants.
City officials and the organisers of the marathon had been under pressure to cancel the event as the Northeast struggles to recover from heavy flooding and power outages caused by superstorm Sandy.
The decision to go ahead with the event had raised hackles among some New Yorkers.
The New York Post dedicated its front page to the story, saying several generators that could be used to power homes without electricity were being used for a marathon media centre.
The paper wrote in an editorial that using so much as a flashlight battery for a sporting event would be outrageous.
After two fifth place finishes in the past two years, the New Zealand runner Kimberley Smith was hoping a top three finish is within her grasp at next week's race.
After a disappointing 15th place at the London Olympics, the year-ending New York marathon was to provide her with a chance to end 2012 on a high.
