While the 2010 ING New York City Marathon is still months away, it’s not too early to consider getting in shape to be a runner for Team Central Park — one of the few ways in which to guarantee yourself a spot in the race. The marathon takes place over 26.2 miles and finishes at Central Park; throughout the year the famous New York park serves as a training ground for everyone including aspiring and top athletes or everyday enthusiasts. If you’re a runner and a tourist, go here to get a hotel room nearby and then walk on over to the parks 58 miles of pedestrian paths, plus 4.5 miles of a bridle path, and 6.5 miles of drives that wind throughout nearly 850 acres. Clearly, with the park as a base, New York is one of the best cities in the world in which to run.
In order to guarantee entry in the marathon, a runner must meet one of the following qualifications: 1) Be a member of the New York Road Runners at least since January 31 of last year, and have finished a minimum of nine NYRR-score qualifying races, as well as volunteer for an event during 2009; 2) Be an entrant in the 2009 marathon race but who cancelled before the race began; 3) Be a runner who has finished 15 or more of the New York City Marathons; 4) Be a runner who has applied but been turned down three years in a row (in this case, the years 2007, 2008, and 2009); or 5) Be a runner for Team Central Park.
Of course, if you choose the latter course, you’ll also be helping the Central Park Conservancy, which not only manages the park, but raises funds that support over 85 percent of the annual operating budget, which totals 27 million dollars. In fact, from 1980 on, the conservancy has put in over 530 million dollars, allowing the park to continue serving over 30 million annually. Over 700,000 runners have completed the New York City Marathon since 1970; perhaps this November, you’ll be able to say you’re a part of that number.