NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Sunday’s marathon won’t divert resources from victims of Superstorm Sandy’s devastation.

Bloomberg responded to criticism of his decision to hold the race at a news briefing Thursday. He notes that electricity is expected to be back on in downtown Manhattan by Sunday, freeing up an “enormous number of police.”

He said the sanitation workers and fire fighters who are aiding storm victims are not involved in the marathon. Race organizers have said they’ll use more private contractors than in past years to minimize the strain on city services.

Bloomberg said “this city is a city where we have to go on.”