4 November 2012 Last updated at 19:30

In pictures: Unofficial New York marathon

Runners in Central Park on 4/11/12 following the cancellation of the NYC Marathon

Runners who had been intending to take part in Sunday’s New York Marathon refused to let its cancellation halt their stride.

Crowds of runners in Central Park on 4/11/12 following the cancellation of the NYC Marathon

It may not have been the 40,000 expected for the official race, but some 2,000 gathered in the city’s Central Park to run impromptu marathons of their own.

Many were determined not to let the months of preparation - and the costs of getting to New York - go to waste by running the laps needed to complete the marathon’s 26.2 miles.

Sherab Melvin from Toronto, Canada, participates in the impromptu Central Park marathon run on 4/11/12

The finishing line, along with portable toilets and tents, were still in place despite the cancellation of the event on Friday.

Lance Svendsen (left) started a group encouraging NYC marathon runners to participate in Central Park on 4/11/12

Lance Svendsen (left), who organised a group called Run Anyway, said: “A lot of people just want to finish what they’ve started”.

Marathon runners deliver relief supplies to storm victims in Staten Island on 4/11/12

Meanwhile, around 1,000 other runners decided to spend the day helping the hard-hit borough of Staten Island – carrying out informal runs to deliver food and relief supplies to the storm's victims.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg cancelled the marathon on Friday after his decision earlier in the week that it should go ahead was met with a barrage of criticism as the city and surrounding areas deal with the devastation caused by Storm Sandy.

US & Canada

In pictures: Unofficial New York marathon

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