To run or not to run is the question for local runners signed up for this year's New York City Marathon. The city's mayor said the race will go on unhindered by the storm recovery efforts after Sandy. But, as YNN's Lori Chung reports, many wonder if it should.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- "I've been trying for four years to get into this race, I've lost out on the lottery for three years, [and] finally I'm in this year" said Peter McKee. He also said he's staying in, following through with his plans to run the New York City marathon this Sunday despite the devastation caused by Sandy.

"I've been listening to what the mayor's been saying and the mayor says 'come, it's ok, it won't take away from city resources to do so' and frankly I think the city needs the revenue," added McKee.

The marathon, which is the largest in the world, brings in an estimated $340 million per year and visitors from all over the globe. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the race must go on.

"There's an awful lot of small businesses who depend on these people [and] we have to have an economy" said Bloomberg. "We expect by Sunday most of the power will be back, if not all of it."

But, not everyone signed up to race this year is celebrating the news.

"We decided to shift our plans and head to New Hampshire instead," said Kim Kilby, a doctor and an avid athlete for whom this would have been a first marathon.

"I've been involved with emergency preparedness and response with my work in the past and I know what all goes into that," said Kilby.

She and her husband decided that running through the storm battered city would have felt insensitive.

"We want it to be right and we want to experience the New York City marathon the way most people experience it and not the hurricane version," she added.

But for McKee, who runs in memory of a fallen soldier, it's an opportunity to do some more good, even with all the hurdles to get to the finish line.

"I still need to find some where to stay, and a way to get there" he said. "But, I'm going to try."