well, I always say, if more than 5 people ask you for the same thing, just type it out and share it, whatever it is. Just more efficient, correct? I might as well. Don’t start asking me weird things, pls.

First, check the race map carefully on the nyrr page. Given you all some people don’t do that, here you go!

The course consists of 3 out and backs, it’s a tall/loooooong weird T.

Notes:

• Start and finish are not the same, check the green dot (above) is the start, red is the finish.
• Keep in mind you have about a half mile from the train stop (161st St stop on the 4 or D) to get your bib/leave a bag, so get there EARLY.
• If you want to do a few warm-up miles, there is enough space on the sidewalks along the course, and the course itself if it’s not blocked, but make sure you get back to your corral early.
• Spectating… unless your spectator has a bike or is really fast, they might just see you only twice, on your way out and then back. Make sure you turn around after you finish and go back a couple of blocks to cheer on the rest of the field.

Check it, here is your elevation…

I am going to divide the race into three parts to get it all sorted out:

1. The North-Out portion

The race starts with a mostly straight and flat run on the Grand Concourse at 165th st. You stay on the Grand Concourse all the way to 3.65 where you make a left.

On mile 1 you drop and climb 50 feet in elevation at the underpass around 175 st. Check it out because you will do the exact same thing on the way back so you can plan for it. After that starts a very very gentle incline into miles 3.5 of about 90 feet. Climbing 90 feet over 2.5 miles is NOTHING. The out-north portion is uneventful, there is only the underpass.

2. The Top of the T

Once you turn left, at mile 3.65, it stays pretty much the same and once you get to the corner of the T and you turn right, and you drop all you climbed, 90 feet in one mile by the other end of the Top of the T. At mile 5 of the race, you make another right and head back. From there, to the last bit of the T it’s a CLIMB. Not crazy, but the only major climb on the race, it lasts three-quarters of a mile and it goes up 40 feet.

3. The South-Back portion to the finish

As soon as you turn back left for the 4.3-mile stretch long home, you have another climb. It is about a quarter-mile 20 feet up. But, then you are home free to start pushing the last miles in. At 8.5 miles you drop/climb the 50 feet of the underpass (around 175th st), but then just hit and you better not quit it home.

Huge note: on the way back you run past the start line all the way to 161st. The best part is ahead: there is a HUGE downhill to the finish line. SAVE enough push to roll down. Once you turn right you only have a quarter-mile you can actually run at 400-meter speed because of the downhill (if you raced smart!!), three regular (short) street blocks but steep down unicorn and giggles fun. FLY. FLY, I said!!!!!!!

that’s it! any questions?

ok, I know what you’re gonna ask: how would you run this…

Couldn’t be any easier. No need to hold back a lot on this course. Go out at 60 or 70% of effort level. At mile 6, after you turned around and got rid of the speed bumps pick it up, to maybe 75 to 85%. Right after the underpass, you only have one mile left, go WILD. And you know, you better roll down hard that last 400 at 100% or I am gonna be mad.

Questions? Comments? Hopes? Donuts? Put them below!

Two more things:

1. last year’s race report in case you are bored
2. this pic cause it’s cute: