Large parts of the region remained without power and transportation in the New York metropolitan area was at a standstill after the storms which killed at least 40 people, including 22 in the city.

Nearly half of the Marathon's 45,000 runners are due to fly into the race from overseas and there remains doubts about how they will all get there with air travel into New York badly disrupted.

"The Marathon has always been a special day for New Yorkers as a symbol of the vitality and resiliency of this city," New York Road Runners President Mary Wittenberg said in a statement.

The 26.2-mile route through the five New York Boroughs mostly avoids the areas hit hardest by flooding. 

"We will keep all options open with regard to making any accommodations and adjustments necessary to race day and race weekend events," said Wittenberg.

Much of the New York City skyline sits in darkness after Hurricane Sandy devastated the city

New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg has warned it could be the end of the week before the subways were running again, which means they may not be available on race day.

Commuter trains may also not be operating normally.

The starting line is on Staten Island and about half the entrants normally would take the ferry and others would take buses through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.

Both have been closed because of flooding.

The race, the final event in the annual World Marathon Majors, is projected to be worth $340 million (£211 million/€262 million) to the New York City economy, but it also requires major support from municipal departments strained by the monster storm that wreaked havoc last night.

"The city is rightfully focused on assessment, restoration and recovery," said Wittenberg.

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