Boston Buildup 25K

Here's a writeup on last Sunday's 25K in Norwalk, from Run Dangerously. Results are linked in the story (as well as to some of the other races in this series, which is a dandy. It's a great way to explore parts of Connecticut).

McCarren Track Classic on March 10

Details are here. For those of you who want to get back on track on this North Brooklyn Runners-sponsored event, it's the perfect opportunity.

Red Hook Crit Race March 24

From the site:

The Red Hook Criterium (RHC) is an unsanctioned race held at night featuring a fixed gear criterium and a 5km running race held over multiple laps of a short technical circuit. The field consists of elite athletes, track stars, amateur runners, professional cyclists, bike messengers, and urban cyclists. The RHC was born in the post-industrial Brooklyn neighborhood Red Hook. This unique event combines the underground art of street racing with the intensity of high level competition in a spectacular urban environment.

The running portion of the race is at 8 pm on Saturday, March 24 - and there is an after-party! Field is limited to 200 runners, so if you want to do it, do it now.

Races and Running This Weekend

*Coogan's 5K, always a fun event, takes place up in Washington Heights on Sunday. Like most other NYRR-sponsored races these days, it's already sold out (but spectators are always welcome). It's also the first club points race of the season.

Other races that may be worth checking out:
*Parade Day 5K at Rockaway Beach on Saturday
*HODS 3.5 mile race in Central Park on Sunday
*Caumsett 25K and 50K on Long Island on Sunday
*Boston Buildup 25K in Norwalk on Sunday

*No word yet on the timing of the race registration for the Brooklyn Half. If you're thinking about running it - it's 11 weeks from tomorrow, so keep that in mind as you start building out your workout schedule, whether you're a first-timer or looking to bag your 50th half.
Looking at the NYRR Facebook posts - lots of angst given last year's race closed in a couple of days. It does look like there will be at least 48-hour notification before the registration opens - and am sure the news will rip through the running community.

*The New York Mini 10K is finally open

*Running in the morning tomorrow is potentially a washout, though it'll hit the mid-50s in the afternoon and possibly some sun

Upcoming Local Races in Prospect Park

Plenty to talk about, but let's just focus on three, all in the local park.

Tomorrow (Sunday), the Valentine's Day 5K takes place, starting at Bartel Pritchard Square. Online registration has closed, but it looks like you can register on site for $30

Next Sunday is the annual Cherry Tree 3-person relay/10 mile run, sponsored by PPTC. Last I heard registration was filling up fast, tho keep an eye on the PPTC.org website

And finally the Al Gordon 4-mile run on Feb. 25 is nearing capacity, but slots are still open.

Jingle Bell Jog Now a 6K

Umm, yeah. "Unexpected construction work on Center Drive" (did it suddenly get blocked off in the past week?) makes the course now 3.7 miles rather than 4 miles.

The good thing: There will be a ton of PRs!

No course map is available, though the race starts and finishes on Center Drive.

Entry fees are $50 thru Dec. 9. Proceeds benefit NYRR's Youth Programs.

Saturday Running Thoughts

*I love the fact that you can identify the hard-core folk aiming for New York Marathon in a couple of weeks (or Philly, or any of the late fall marathons). It's the belts, of course, with water, gel etc. It's the camaraderie (Yes, I've spelled this right). My run today, 15m, I nodded to several others out there in the final throes of training.

*Spent an hour at the tail end of the Rock 'N Roll 10K in Prospect Park. Purely judging on the music -- *THERE WERE NO LIVE BANDS*. I know the DJs tried, but cmon. My group passed four DJ stations, and no bands (3 on the loop, one on the upper transverse). If I missed any, apologies and I'll correct. But for the price of the race (I hope they got a great goodie bag), let's have some great music.

Searchable results should be here: The winning time: a blazing 29:01 (wow)

Great Times at Grete's Great Gallop

Cooler conditions led to some blazing times at today's Grete's Gallop, a half-marathon in Central Park.

Tops among Brooklyn runners:
*Michael Maag (6th overall): 1:10:42
*Caitlin Phillips (3rd overall): 1:22:05

In the 1.7 mile Norway Run
*Garland Days (4th overall): 9:04
*Anna Fyodorova (4th overall): 10:25

Welcome to autumn temps!

Searchable results here (for the half) and here (for the Norway Run)

October Races

Lots of great October races out there, including the Bed-Stuy 10K next week, a chance to run on Roosevelt *and* Randall's Island, and the return of X/C races up at Van Cortlandt. A look at some of the area races:

*Oct. 2: Liz Padilla Memorial 5K, Prospect Park

*Oct. 2: Harry Murphy X/C 5K, Van Cortlandt

*Oct. 2: Merrell Down & Dirty 5K, 10K, Bronx

*Oct. 9: Restoration Plaza 10K, Bed-Stuy

*Oct. 9: Staten Island Half, Staten Island (registration closed)

*Oct. 9: Get to the Point 5K, Greenpoint

*Oct. 9: Run for the Wild 5K, Coney Island

*Oct. 9: Westchester Half/Quarter Marathon, White Plains

*Oct. 15: Roosevelt Island 5K, Roosevelt Island

*Oct. 15: Rockaway Marathon, Rockaways

*Oct 16: Kurt Steiner X/C 5K, Van Cortlandt

*Oct. 22: Rock 'N Roll 10K, Prospect Park

*Oct. 22: Sleepy Hollow 10K, Sleepy Hollow, NY

*Oct. 22: Run the River 5K, Randall's Island

*Oct. 23: Race Against Violence 5K, Bay Ridge

*Oct. 30: Poland Spring 5M, Central Park

Lagat, Simpson Win 5th Avenue Mile

Bernard Lagat, Jenny Simpson won the men's, women's races today along 5th Avenue.

Results here. And results here for the various races.

I'd post a video and/or story from NYRR, though unclear why there's nothing available at this point (too bad that this wasn't shown live for those of us who couldn't make it downtown). Highlights should be available later.

Random Thoughts on a Monday Evening

*The Staten Island Half (my favorite of the five official halfs that's not run in Brooklyn) on Oct. 9 is nearing capacity, so if you're planning to race, sign up now! Grete's Great Gallop on Oct. 1 still has space, though ... really ... do you want to race two loops of Central Park or go gallivanting on Staten Island?

*Boston Marathon entries continue this week, with the first round of entries already locked in. Now it gets interesting, as the remaining qualifiers seeking entry will continue be seeded based on how fast they beat their qualifying time. Entrants should know by Sept. 28. As of tonight, 88 people from Brooklyn were listed in the entrant database.

*Looking for some Northeast cross-country races this fall? Check out Chuck's X/C Calendar.

*Still looking to blast that final 5K of the year? Check out the Music That Heals 5K in Prospect Park this Sunday, Sept. 25. A look at upcoming races is here, courtesy of NYCRuns.

*Finally got down to Brooklyn Bridge Park (in Dumbo) the other day, where I haven't been for weeks. Checked out Jane's Carousel (it looks a little out of place, though is certainly beautiful), though even more importantly - you can now run in that area again and make a nice half-mile plus loop near the Manhattan Bridge.

*My DVD movie pick of the week (and maybe it'll inspire you to run in Red Hook): The Adjustment Bureau. Yeah, it's a cheesy sci-fi film (all the better), some great shots of the area, however.

Free Entries to Rock 'N Roll 10K in Prospect Park*

*Of course there's a catch.

You have to be an Active Advantage member *and* you have to be one of the first 20 to sign up at 1 p.m. *today* (Tuesday, Aug. 23)

http://advantage.active.com/deals/Rock-n-Roll-New-York-10K/

Otherwise? Steep, steep entry fee of $60 if you're planning to run. The race is Oct. 22.

Battle of Brooklyn Tomorrow in Prospect Park

The 2nd annual JackRabbit Battle of Brooklyn takes place tomorrow in Prospect Park tomorrow at 8 a.m.

Three loops, 10 miles - it's similar to the Cherry Tree that's run in the winter.

There's still time to register online ($25) or pay $30 tomorrow at the door. And yes, there's a relay!

And, of course, a gimmick:

This year we're adding a new element: "Time your Climb" sponsored by Garmin. Each runner will not only receive their splits for the three loops, you'll also receive your splits for climbing Prospect Park's big hill. In each age/gender category, there will be a "Time your Climb" winner for the fastest combined time up the hill, *and* for the most consistent times up the hill.

Founders 5K on Saturday at 9 a.m.

Late notice I realize, but for those looking to run one of the many 5Ks in Prospect Park this summer - here's the next one.

Founders 5K, to honor the founders of the city's running clubs, starts at 9 a.m. just outside of Bartel Pritchard Square.

Go Fourth and Run

I love three-day weekends, because it means there's the opportunity to get in two long runs and not suffer (too much).

Or, you can run long on Saturday and race Monday.

Or ... and you knew this was coming, you can do both (see option two).

Two races I want to highlight this weekend, though there are plenty in the region:

*Pepper Martin 5 Mile out in Staten Island. Absolutely wonderful local race, with a killer hill and great post-race party.

*The July 4th Marathon up at Van Cortlandt Park. I've never done one of these trail holiday races, which range from 6.5 mile parts and up, though I might make my way up this weekend. It consists of one or more loops on the gradual Van Cortlandt trails (as opposed to the undulating X/C course and the punishing Cemetery Hill). As the motto for this free community race states: Just show up and run.

And the great thing? On this one, you can go long ... and race.

Happy holidays everyone.

Cosme 5K Photos

No results posted yet, but you can take a look at some photos.

Cosme 5K June 26

For those looking for an excuse to get out to Coney Island tomorrow, a reminder about the Cosme 5K. Weather looks awesome, and you can jump in the ocean afterward.

For those who ran the Kenny Dolan 5K a few weeks ago, it's also the second leg in the Brooklyn Triple Crown race series.

Summer Race Series Results

For those of you who braved the heat and the rain this past week, congrats. Results from the humid Wednesday 5K in Prospect Park here and the thunder-struck Thursday X/C race in Van Cortlandt Park (won by NBR's Pavel Marossine here.)

PPTC 5K Race Series

What's not to like about this annual race series?

*5Ks every other Wednesday in the park.

*Low-key, yet intense competition.

*Great opportunity to get medals in your age group.

*Wonderful chance to work in some tempo runs into your long-distance training.

Here are the dates:

May 25
June 8
June 22
July 6
July 20
Aug. 3
Aug. 17 ****(site says Aug. 18, but because it's supposedly on a Wednesday ...)

Each race starts/finishes by the Oriental Pavilion (on the zoo side of the park) around 7 p.m. (a bit later usually because PPTC waits for the cars to clear the park.)

Quick Look at Races This Weekend

Complete list here of area races. Some comments/highlights below:

Healthy Kidney (tomorrow) has closed, so don't plan on getting in on race-day entries. Race start at 8 a.m. for those who did get entries. Expect it to be packed - last year's race had 7,839 finishers.

Buckley's to Kennedy's 5K on Sunday always get's a large local contingent up in Queens.