This was my first time (maybe only time?) running the Abbott Dash to the Finish 5K. My full disclosure is that I got in via my run club bib allotment, … MORE
This was my first time (maybe only time?) running the Abbott Dash to the Finish 5K. My full disclosure is that I got in via my run club bib allotment, and I was not training for this race nor the NYC Marathon the following day. I just wanted something fun to do Saturday morning on a week’s notice and had a great time!
The Good: As usual, the NYRR races are gargantuan but well-planned. Once at the corral area, I knew where I had to be. The megaphone/speaker/PA system was clearly broadcasting information, though the din of conversation from runners was drowning it a bit. The course was one of the easiest I’ve run from NYRR – except for the first corner where everyone squeezed into a 90º right hander, but it all opened up. Minimal hills, but not exactly flat. The “goodie bag” after the finish was the same as you’d receive for other longer races: gatorade, protein bar, fruit, water.
The Awkward: Back check was near the finish line, the start line was a trainride away. This was countered by taking a warmup jog to the 6 train on 68th St/Hunter College, getting off at Grand Central, and jogging again to the start corral. Be mindful of auto traffic!
The Bad: Honestly nothing major. Even on the PA system they clarified “be careful of the first right corner.” The first 1/4 mile was rather tight, and likely kept me off PR pace. The roads after that were plenty wide. The race itself was a grand production on the eve of the TCS NYC Marathon. It felt like the biggest, most important, über-special 5K I’ve ever run, but, y’know, still just a 5K.
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Very NYC 5K: Traffic, People, & Amazing
This was my first time (maybe only time?) running the Abbott Dash to the Finish 5K. My full disclosure is that I got in via my run club bib allotment, … MORE
This was my first time (maybe only time?) running the Abbott Dash to the Finish 5K. My full disclosure is that I got in via my run club bib allotment, and I was not training for this race nor the NYC Marathon the following day. I just wanted something fun to do Saturday morning on a week’s notice and had a great time!
The Good: As usual, the NYRR races are gargantuan but well-planned. Once at the corral area, I knew where I had to be. The megaphone/speaker/PA system was clearly broadcasting information, though the din of conversation from runners was drowning it a bit. The course was one of the easiest I’ve run from NYRR – except for the first corner where everyone squeezed into a 90º right hander, but it all opened up. Minimal hills, but not exactly flat. The “goodie bag” after the finish was the same as you’d receive for other longer races: gatorade, protein bar, fruit, water.
The Awkward: Back check was near the finish line, the start line was a trainride away. This was countered by taking a warmup jog to the 6 train on 68th St/Hunter College, getting off at Grand Central, and jogging again to the start corral. Be mindful of auto traffic!
The Bad: Honestly nothing major. Even on the PA system they clarified “be careful of the first right corner.” The first 1/4 mile was rather tight, and likely kept me off PR pace. The roads after that were plenty wide. The race itself was a grand production on the eve of the TCS NYC Marathon. It felt like the biggest, most important, über-special 5K I’ve ever run, but, y’know, still just a 5K.
Love the race
I loved the race and the scenery! The streets of New York are rough if you have and injury, like myself. Lots of hills. And no medal, I was really … MORE
I loved the race and the scenery! The streets of New York are rough if you have and injury, like myself. Lots of hills. And no medal, I was really disappointed in this!
Running through NYC
I had the same problem in NYC, as well as Chicago 5k. There were a lot of people that decided to stop in the middle of road to take pictures. … MORE
I had the same problem in NYC, as well as Chicago 5k. There were a lot of people that decided to stop in the middle of road to take pictures. One thing I enjoyed with this race was that we race through the streets of New York City and finished inside Central Park.
Preview of the next day's excitement
Since I was in town for the TCS New York City Marathon, why not get a preview of what the NYC racing experience would be by doing a 5K the … MORE
Since I was in town for the TCS New York City Marathon, why not get a preview of what the NYC racing experience would be by doing a 5K the morning before? This was also a point-to-point race from the HQ of the United Nations going through parts of Manhattan not covered by the marathon until meeting up with the marathon route in Central Park. The finish, of course, is also the marathon’s finish line. It’s a great opportunity for folks who won’t be doing the full thing the next day to get a piece of the action. In 2015 this race was held on Halloween, and lots of folks were dressed up in costumes. I kept pace with a banana man for a while before peeling ahead in the park. In all, it’s a very fun race! A huge plus for the race is that the packet pickup is at the same expo for the NYC Marathon.