JmurrayAthletics

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This weekend was a big one, fortunately upon arriving everything went smoothly. Helps to know the city and her subways. The second my foot hit the platform I was halfway to the hotel! Staying at the West Side YMCA again helped save some money, and I needed it for this trip. This one was a struggle to make it happen, with limited funds I still pulled it off!

After checking into the hotel, I grabbed my skateboard, my preferred method of travel for this trip, and made my way to NYRR headquarters where I was able to pick up both my race bibs and shirts on the same day and time. This made showing up for the races so much easier if you can always grab your stuff the day before the event!

Both races were situated in central park and easy enough were both in a similar proximity, most likely to make set up and breakdown easier. I know I picked the hotel literally across the street because it was easier for commuting. In fact, it was a 5 minute walk to the park, a 5 minute skate to Penn Station, and a 5 minute skate to Times Square!

Both races weren’t overly drawn out and featured classic scenes of central park, the reservoir, inspirational figures in the form of statues, and much more. I think the thing that makes running in the park so enjoyable is the environment, the park is like stepping outside of the city while still in it. Neither race stood out for their course, but what made them both unique was their events and festivities.

Frontrunners Pride put on music, dancing and raffles. While the Achilles Hope focused on the theme of hope with a white board where people wrote what hope means to them and had some powerful speakers, such as John Stewart, come out to give some words before running the race.

If you’re doing the 9+1 these back to back races are going to help you by keeping you from needing to travel back and forth an extra trip!