NYRR 8000 Results

The results of the NYRR 8000 have been posted, with more than 4,500 finishers listed. Below are the top finishers of Brooklyn residents age 50-54 (no particular reason why these specific results were chosen, just wanted to give a shout out to people who are performing at the top of their age bracket in the borough).

Top Brooklyn Finishers, Male 50-54

BELL	WINSTON	M54	BROOKLYN	33:00:00
TOBIN	TOM	M54	BROOKLYN	37:21:00
ANDREEV	VITALY	M50	BROOKLYN	37:54:00
SCHIFF	BRADLEY	M53	BROOKLYN	39:37:00
DAVIDSON	ALEXIS	M53	BROOKLYN	40:27:00

Top Brooklyn Finishers, Female 50-54

VERNON	JEAN	F54	BROOKLYN	41:46:00
YOUNG	SHAWN	F51	BROOKLYN	42:55:00
MURRAY	HELEN	F51	BROOKLYN	48:06:00
COHEN	LISA GRACE	F51	BROOKLYN	48:12:00
CHAMLEY	ANN	F52	BROOKLYN	48:14:00

When Will They Turn on the Fountains?

Ahh, it's the popular question this time of year ... and every spring it seems to be different.

An e-mail into the parks department has gone unanswered so far. And a query to a colleague I have generated a shrug, and the answer that there's one guy who covers the district, and he determines when they get turned on.

The warmer weather hints that it should be soon ... but when? And where? Should you note one of your favorite watering holes being brought back from its winter slumber, please message in ...

(For those in despair, remember that there are still sinks in the park bathrooms that are open, and there is a working fountain at Pierrepont Park off the Brooklyn Heights Promenade).

Race Updates

Some race updates (or lack thereof)

NYRR 8000, March 14: Closed due to capacity issues in Central Park

More Marathon/Half Maraton, April 26: Closed

Brooklyn Half Marathon, May 30? We hope so.

March 5K in the Park

And I mean in ... part of the Prospect Park Duathlon that's being held on March 21, they've introduced a new 5K only for us runners who hesitate to strap on the cycling shoes.

Details on the Fuggetaboutit 5K are here on Saturday, March 21.

This is the route, I believe ...

RUN through Brooklyn's only forest, past it's waterfalls, under the Nethermead and East Wood Arches, through the Cleft Ridge Span Tunnel, over the Binnen and Esdale Bridges, and around the Long Meadow. You will always remember this run!!!!

And you get a technical T-shirt (can't have too many of these) and a water bottle

Steve Martin? Meryl Streep?

Numerous reports in the blogosphere have Steve Martin (I saw him in a Boston hotel elevator once), Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin filming in Prospect Park, which could interrupt your loops. Anyone have some first-person sightings? Commentary?

Perhaps there's an opportunity for an overdressed, sweaty runner to have a cameo, or even one of those distance shots ... (ahh, there's incentive to go running in frigid temperatures).

Not sure the hype will surpass when George Clooney and Brad Pitt were in Brooklyn Heights recently for some shots of "Burn After Reading."

Free Beginning Runners Workshop

Prospect Park Track Club and Slope Sports are teaming up to provide a beginning runners' workshop on consecutive Saturdays in March (14, 21, 28) at 8 a.m. at Grand Army Plaza

According to the post on the PPTC Web site:

"Each session will illustrate practical tips that will help runners stick with a program, develop good technique, and progress gradually and safely towards their goals. All paces are welcome. We’ll be regrouping at specific points along the run, and nobody will be left behind. We’ll meet on the sidewalk at the Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Pk. The program is free, and we encourage you to attend all three sessions. Non club members are welcome."

Brooklyn Bridge Rehab/Armory Hearing

Two developments of note, according to the local media:

The Brooklyn Bridge rehab begins this summer, according to Brownstoner. Not entirely clear what that means for pedestrian traffic (i.e. us runners), but suspect there will be some disruptions on top of the usual tourist dodgeball.

There's a hearing next Monday for the YMCA to operate the Park Slope Armory, according to this article in the Brooklyn Eagle. According to an article I saw in the Brooklyn Paper, it's possible it might the indoor track might be open in May, just in time for the first 70 degree day of the year :-). All kidding aside, can't wait for this thing to get finalized.