New York Road Runners, which puts on the marathon every year, said it is donating $1 million to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund and encouraged others to donate as well.

After getting over the shock of the race's cancellation, Denton said he and his team will put away their running shoes Sunday and put on their work gloves as they join the volunteer effort.

Mandel, for her part, ended up leaving the race expo before hearing the news that the event had been canceled, having already made up her mind that she would not run this year.

"It's a wonderful experience. I've done it many times. It's not the right time," she said.