Latest update from the Central Park Conservancy
As most of you are aware, a severe storm caused a tremendous amount of damage to Central Park on August 18th. With cleanup and restoration costs estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Central Park Conservancy really needs your help. While Central Park serves many diverse groups; as runners and cyclists we know that our very special community would not exist as it does today if it were not for Central Park. This is our chance to show our concern and join a fun run to raise money for the monumental repair project that is going on right now.
DONATIONS: Suggested donations $25 and up, but ANY amount will be welcome. Details for a specific link showing that the donation is coming from the athletic community will follow shortly! Alternatively, check donations to the Central Park Conservancy Storm Damage Fund will be accepted at the start of the run.
Presentation of an envelope containing all the donations collected from the athletic community at this run will be presented to a parks official prior to the start of the run. Please bring donations to the start.
DATE: Wednesday, September 30th
Time: 7:00 PM Rain or shine
Meeting Place: Engineers Gate, 90th street and Fifth Avenue – Meet at the Fred Lebow Statue inside the park near the information kiosk for donation presentation and run course instructions.
DISTANCE AND COURSE: Five mile fun run starting at 90th and 5th avenue. Run north on East Drive and up and around Harlem Hill and then continue south on the West Side drive. This will take runners through the area which sustained most of the damage from the storm on August 18th. Continue south on the west side drive until 72nd Street. Left turn on 72nd street and continue to East Drive. Make a Left on East drive to run north to return to start place at 90th and Fifth Avenue. Course is subject to change.
If you would like to attend and make a donation but not run, that’s fine too! Just show up by 7:00 PM with your donation, and be part of this community effort.
This is a Fun Group Run, not a race. There will not be a clock, mile markers, water or aid stations for support. Water fountains may still be operable but you may want to bring your own water if you feel that you will need it. Every dollar you contribute will go one hundred percent to the parks restoration efforts. The park will be open to automobile traffic until approximately 7 PM. We will need to run in the inside runners lane only.
SUPER RUNNERS SHOP located on Lexington and 89th Street has graciously volunteered to stay open late for this event in order to provide a changing place and bag storage for runners who might need this. Please arrive at Super Runners no later than 6:40 in order to be able to meet up in the Park by 7:00.
Central Park is a very important place for runners, cyclists, and walkers! Its our backyard! Its been seriously damaged and needs our help to bring back all of its beauty! I hope you can help! Thank you!
See you in the park!
Mike Keohane
mkcoaching