A Race Anyone Can Win

Jack Rabbit Sports (one of my favorite stores) is holding a race on April 13th in Prospect Park that ANYONE can win. That's right anyone... if you run a 6 minute mile or at 12 minute mile, it doesn't matter... we'll all be evenly matched.

Jack Rabbit writes,  

This race will not be won by the fastest runner, but by the person who knows themselves best.  When you register, you need to predict your finishing time.  The race will be chip timed, but there will be no clocks on the course and runners are not allowed to wear watches.  After the race, you’ll see what your actual finish time was and just how close you came.  The people that are closest to their predicted times win.

Because this race is not about speed, we will not have separate categories for men & women or different age groups.  Instead, the top 5 most accurate runners will win a $30 coupon to JackRabbit, the next 10 most accurate will win a $20 coupon, and the next 10 most accurate will win a $10 coupon.  Winners will receive coupons via email or as a store credit.

The proceeds of this event are going directly to benefit Prospect Park.  Instead of printing yet another race tee shirt, we’re going to pool the proceeds from the race and put them towards a project in Prospect Park that will benefit the running community.  

Crucial Information: The race will begin and end at the Bartel Prichard lot at the intersection of 15th St and Prospect Park West in Prospect Park at 7:00 p.m.  Please plan to arrive no later than 6:45p.  Bag drop will be provided.  The start is very close to the F train stop at Prospect Park. The race course will be approximately one loop of the park.

The race is capped at 400 registrants.  Online registration will end at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 12th or when the race is full. Online registration is $20 at www.jackrabbitsports.com/anyonecanwin.  Pre-race packet pickup will be available at the JackRabbit Union Square store on Monday, April 12th or at the race start beginning at 6:00pm.  If space is still available, race evening registration will be $30 on-site.

I love that Jack Rabbit is donating the proceeds of this race to benefit Prospect Park... Personally, while I love race tees, I have enough of them and I always agree with supporting our city's parks. Way to go Jack Rabbit!!

Please go and checkout Jack Rabbit's website. This store proved to be a great resource for me when I had just started running. Their staff was always encouraging, welcoming and friendly. Additionally, they were knowledgeable about their products and general resources for runners in and around the city. They are great for runners, cyclists, swimmers, yoga fanatics and general fitness enthusiasts.

Overall, I think this race sounds like a fantastic idea... I'm slow, so this may be my only opportunity to ever win anything. I'm so excited! See you out there!

8 Places to Grab Your Running Gear

Looking for a place to get your running clothes, sneaks or fuel packs?

Check out NYCGO.com and read Runners' Buy: Best NYC Trotting Gear which is complete with a map of all locations.

Personally I love Jack Rabbit sports and Super Runners for their running evaluations and general knowledge of the sport. I also appreciate that at Super Runners when I buy a new pair of sneakers I can try them out for 30 days and return them if they aren't exactly what I need. (Note: Jack Rabbit may have the same policy, I just haven't been told of it.) Additionally, I have also had great success with Asics shoes and therefore enjoy going to their store.

Hope this article helps you find all the equipment and apparel you need for an awesome run!

Looking for a Place to Park Your Bike?

So in honor of everyone wears green day, I thought I would share an awesome tip from Transportation Alternatives (a really worthy and important organization) to help make living a greener life a little easier. Because not everyone is allowed to take your bike inside buildings or restaurants and you might not want to chain your bike to the nearest parking sign, Transportation Alternatives has been kind enough to compile a list of bike parking garages all over the city.

For your convenience I have copied the list below, but please go and check out the original list here.

Manhattan 
85 4th Ave (at 10th St.) - Secure bike room $25 per month 
888 Eighth Avenue (at 53rd Street) - $10 per 10 hours 
J & S Rent-A-Locker, 147 W. 35th Street (b/w Broadway amd 7th ave) - $5 per day 
105 Essex Street (b/w Delancey and Rivington) 
80 Pine Street (West side of Water Street b/w Pine and Maiden) 
Best Parking, 310 W. 40th Street (b/w 8th and 9th) - $15 per hour 
Central Parking, 224 Mulberry Street (b/w Prince and Spring) - $40 per month 
Chelnik Parking, 200 E. 27th Street (at 3rd Avenue) - $6.50 per hour, $206 per month 
Chelnik Parking, 425 Park Avenue (at 55th Street) - $23 per hour 
FastPark, 49 W. 38th Street (at 9th Avenue) - $20 per day 
Gallant Parking, 182 E. 95th Street (at 3rd Avenue) - $21 per day 
Impark, 55 Water Street (south of William Street) - $30 per month for non-tenants 
Kinney System, 345 W. 58th Street (at 8th Avenue) - $37 per day, $16 per hour 
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Avenue (at 82nd Street) - open during museum hours

Brooklyn -Currently there are no garages listed in Brooklyn.

The Bronx
Jerome Avenue at Gun Hill Road
Jerome Avenue at 190th Street

Queens
Court Square (near Jackson Ave.)
90th Avenue (bet. Parsons Blvd. & 160th Street)
Archer Ave. at 165th Street
Queens Borough Hall
Queens Plaza South at Jackson Avenue

They don't list any for Brooklyn... but I have a feeling there must be at least one or two there and they also don't list any for Staten Island. Does anyone know of any garages either in Brooklyn or on Staten Island? Or do you know of any that aren't listed on Transportation Alternatives website?

That's all for now folks! I hope everyone has a chance to go outside and enjoy the day! Don't forget to wear your green, go watch the St. Patrick's Day Parade (on Fifth from 42nd to 86th Streets, from 11am-4pm), and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather we have been given.

Happy St. Partick's Day Everyone!

Brooklyn Bridge Park will be Completed!!!! :)

According to the New York Times, New York State has agreed to allow the completion of Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO. Only a few small portions of the park are completed at this time, and each year more areas are expected to open.

This picture, courtesy of The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, is of part of the park that is currently open. Having worked in DUMBO I can promise that this area is a wonderful place to go for a walk or to eat your lunch. If you are looking for gorgeous views and a little hint of nature I highly recommend going to the area called The Cove,which is right between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

This spring the Park is expected to make13 new acres available to the public with the openings on Piers 1 and 6. The New York Times also notes that Pier 2 is expected to open, which would be designed for sports, though I was unable to find any information on Pier 2 on the Park's website. Please note, that the Empire-Fulton Ferry location is currently closed for renovations, and plans to reopen in spring 2011.

If you do plan on taking a stroll through the Park, I highly recommend stopping by the Ice Cream Factory, located at 1 Water Street, it is absolutely delicious!

March Showers Bring April Flowers?

Hmm... not quite right, but maybe all this rain will make spring come early this year.

And because it is never too early to start planning for spring and Cherry Blossom season is right around the corner.... Start planning your visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden now. Its a great place to go for a walk, explore and learn about some pretty cool plants.

For now, I hope you are all enjoying your puddle jumping adventures!