Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Seeded Corrals at NYRR Races

In an attempt, no doubt, to ease the overcrowding at races in Central Park, NYRR is introducing seeded corrals for many of its races. The following is posted on its Web site:

"To ease congestion and provide a safe and enjoyable race-day experience for all participants, NYRR will be instituting seeded corrals at all its races beginning with the adidas Run for the Parks on April 20. When registering, runners will be asked to provide their estimated pace per mile for assignment to a start corral. Please provide this information where indicated. Runners who do not provide an estimated pace will be assigned to a start corral by NYRR. Please stayed tuned for more information as we get closer to April 20."

Essentially, this is an attempt to mandate that people get in line where they are supposed to be. And, maybe, the NYRR won't get as much grief from the folk in Central Park who have complained about the races spilling out into all lanes and obstructing other users.

Will it work? The fastest runners already got a chance to start the race at the front. The midpack fast runners (i.e. between 65 to 75 percent age-graded percentage) may also benefit. Stay tuned ...

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