The NYC Marathon is this Sunday, November 3, and you can expect several changes and street closures on the Upper West Side. There are also lots of events planned, including fireworks in the park on Friday night.
One of the best spots to watch the race is in Central Park near the finish line on the loop road in the low 70’s. You get to witness the triumph and agony and triumph, without any of the sweat! Security measures in the park, by the way, will be heightened given the Boston terrorist attack. If you come to watch, try to pack light: “[T]hey’re encouraging spectators to bring only one bag per person, no larger than the size of a purse. Spectators also can expect to encounter barriers around the finish line, with entry only through checkpoints where bags will be searched. Similar checkpoints will be set up elsewhere along the route.”
Gale Brewer’s office sent us the list of events and closures below:
Friday, November 1
Marathon Opening Ceremony Presented by United Airlines 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Central Park (enter at West 67th Street)
Marathon Fireworks Presented by Poland Spring 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 2
NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K 8:30 a.m.
Central Park (near West 67th Street)
Participants exit park onto Central Park West between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Street closures (vehicular traffic):
• Central Park South (Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue)
• Sixth Avenue from (West 34th Street to Central Park South)
• 42nd Street (FDR Drive to Seventh Avenue)
No parking:
• Central Park West (73rd Street–75th Street, east side of street): 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Central Park West (59th Street–66th Street, west side of street): 3:00–10:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 3: Marathon Day
Street closures (vehicular traffic):
• Central Park West (59th Street–77th Street): from 6:30 a.m.
• Central Park West (77th Street–86th Street): from 8:00 a.m.
• 79th Street Transverse: from 9:00 a.m.
• 65th/66th Street Transverse: from 10:00 a.m.
Cross-town traffic will be detoured south to 57th Street or north to 142nd Street. 86th Street Transverse will be open.
No parking:
• Central Park West (59th Street–86th Street, both sides of street): 12:01 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• 61st Street, 62nd Street, 63rd Street, 64th Street, 65th Street, and 66th Street (between Central Park West and Broadway, both sides of street): 6:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Photo by Brian Boyd.
Any idea when the closures will reopen?
W 69th street has signs saying no parking on Sunday.
Signs on 72nd street between Columbus and CPW say no parking Sunday 8 am – 6 pm – cars will be towed….all for a bunch of idiots in short pants….why do we tolerate this inconvenience in our area??? Let them exit and congregate somewhere else….
Those of us who pay our taxes and now cannot use the park this day should receive compensation. I use the park every morning to walk my dog, and now can’t. Why should we subsidize these people?