NY marathon CEO says time will help keep race on track

With heavy rain and strong winds gusting to 40 mph at Central Park on Monday afternoon, organizers of Sunday's New York Marathon said they do not expect the race to be greatly affected by Hurricane Sandy.

"Luckily we have time on our side," New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg said Monday. "We're extraordinarily lucky the marathon is not today."

A major logistical concern remains getting the race's 18,000-20,000 international runners into the city, given the airport shutdowns. Many runners are being routed through London, given the large number of flights from that city to the U.S.

One of the marathon's corporate partners, United Airlines, is helping rebook elite athletes. Also the race's cancellation policy is being altered in wake of the travel difficulties. For those who can't get to New York, the deadline for withdrawing and getting a guaranteed spot in the 2013 race is being pushed back to Saturday night. Runners can cancel via email until 11:59 p.m Saturday. In past years, runners could withdraw online by Oct. 31 or in person at the expo on the Saturday before the race.

"Contingency planning is always part of our mode of operation," Wittenberg said. "We have the room in the schedule."

Minor adjustments have already been made. A Monday news conference with Alberto Salazar in New York City was cancelled given the shutdown of the city's transit system; Salazar's flight from the West Coast was also cancelled.

The ceremonial painting of the blue line in front of the finish structure has been rescheduled and Thursday's youth run is being moved inside to an armory.