The race winds through New York's five boroughs, starting in Staten Island, where at least 19 people died in the storm. The damage there is so severe that Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino plan to head there Friday.

U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, who represents Staten Island and Brooklyn, said the city has its priorities wrong.

"We're still pulling bodies out of the water and the mayor is worried about marathon runners and returning to life as normal," Grimm said in a statement. "The Verrazano Bridge should be used for getting fuel and food in to Staten Island, not getting runners out. Police resources would be best allocated to prevent looting and in rescue and recovery operations."

Wilson, however -- who still plans to have his annual viewing party at the bar along 1st Avenue -- says it doesn't have to be one or the other.

"I don't see it as a big disrespect to the victims or anything like that," he said. "I think it's something that everybody will benefit from and enjoy. I think we need it."