NYC Marathon considering alternate starting line

NEW YORK (AP) — The government shutdown could mean a change to the starting line for the New York City Marathon.

That’s because the usual staging site is the federally operated Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island.

Organizers of the Nov. 3 race say they are working with city, state and federal officials to come up with an alternate site if the shutdown continues.

They declined to say which site or sites they are considering but said it would remain on Staten Island.

More than 45,000 runners participate in the 26.2-mile marathon.

Fort Wadsworth is part of Gateway National Recreation Area controlled by the National Parks Service.

The marathon was canceled last year because of Superstorm Sandy. Additional security is planned for this year’s event after twin bombing at the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured more than 260.