The annual NYC Triathlon will run through the Upper West Side on Sunday, and several streets and entrances to the parks will be closed in anticipation. Much of the event takes place in the neighborhood, with the swim portion starting in the Hudson in the 90’s, the bike portion running through Riverside Park, and the run portion in Central Park. Runners will cut from Riverside Park to Central Park on 72nd Street.
Like other weekend street closures, we’ve heard some criticism of this one. “The closure of 72nd St and the West Side highway essentially traps people who depend on buses,” wrote one tipster.
Photo by Amie in Riverside Park.
The course route is here. It’s not clear if the extreme heat expected for the weekend will change the plans for the event. Safety is a big issue in triathlons, particularly during the swim portion: Multiple participants have died during the swimming leg of the NYC Triathlon. Another swimmer was thought to be dead in 2015, but was rescued and recovered.
The following streets are expected to be closed:
The following streets will be closed Sunday from 5:50 am to 2 pm for NYC Triathlon at the discretion of NYPD.
Manhattan Portion
- Henry Hudson Parkway (Northbound Lanes Only) between West 60th Street and the Henry Hudson Bridge
- West 72nd Street between Riverside Drive and Central Park West
- West 79th Street between Riverside Drive and Traffic Circle (Near West Side Highway)
- 79th Traffic Circle
- Central Park West Drive between 102nd Street Transverse and Center Drive
- Center Drive between Central Park West Drive and Central Park East Drive
- Central Park East Drive between Center Drive and 102nd Street Transverse
- 102nd Street Transverse between Central Park West Drive and Central Park East Drive
- Terrace Drive between Central Park West Drive and Central Park East Drive
Bronx Portion
- Henry Hudson Bridge (Northbound Lanes Only)
- Henry Hudson Parkway (Northbound Lanes Only) between the Henry Hudson Bridge and Mosholu Parkway
- Mosholu Parkway (Eastbound Lanes Only) between Henry Hudson Parkway and West Gun Hill Road
Whoever planned the triathlon for the Sunday before July 4th, 2-3 weeks earlier than usual, was irresponsible and not thinking about regular New Yorkers getting of of town for the entire week. Why???
These kinds of events that bar tens of thousands (at minimum) from public recreation areas are a travesty. Turning the UWS upside down for a bunch of people moronic enough to participate in such an event on a 100 degree day is so disrespectful of the neighborhoods residents who are here 365 days a year. Gowanus Canal Triathlon anyone???
Hi Ted – As one of those “moronic people” and an UWSer I can honestly say that you don’t know what you’re talking about. Come to a race, see the different people from various backgrounds racing. Heck I would love to help you train for a short race. The race had a little over 3,000 people in it, not 10’s of thousands. The roads were slowly opened around 10:30/11 and fully opened by 12.
Mark your calendar, the “moronic people” parade is July 21st next year. You have more than a year’s notice to be a positive supporter of people trying to do amazing things! Let me know if I can help in any way, I can introduce you to all of the people who have had triathlons and NYRR races change their lives in a positive direction.
@Christine.
There was no notice at bus stops or anywhere that this event would be happening. That is a major problem.
And even on the day of, no one seemed to know how buses were being re-routed.
Know of several older people who were basically stranded – could not find bus (not running due to triathlon).
The triathlon organizers need to be responsible for notifying the neighborhood about event and public transportation impact.
Hi Ted! The event was over by 11 AM, and all access to parks and to 72nd street was restored. It does seem like a travesty that local residents are denied access to approximately ten blocks of the park for a few hours on a sunday morning, but then by your standards, it seems that literally any event that would inconvenience anyone is a travesty. Perhaps we should cancel the marathon, all outdoor movies and concerts, and all construction projects as well — all of which I find inconvenient at times.
@Andie.
For this event, 72nd Street is closed to transportation north- south for hours.
That means no buses at all . Not to mention Access a Ride. Or any other vehicle.
Completely different situation than a closure on an avenue for a street fair.
Hey Ted: Many of these people are participating for charities such as Team In Training, the multisport arm of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society which provide direct services to NYers, many on the UWS who are being treated for Leukemia and Lymphoma such as meals and rides to treatment. Others are participating for other such groups. I am proud to have run marathons for this great group. When we ran the Disney Marathon many years ago, it was 100 degrees yet we still ran, had a great time, and helped a lot of sick people
This is well worth loosing a park for one day out of a whole summer of weekend days. I know UWSers could win the gold medal for NIYBYism, but come one. Instead of complaining, how about standing by the course and cheering the participants on. They would love the support.
Well said Jeff! I’m one of the “moronic people” that Ted talks about. Yesterday was tough to get through but I did it, for my third year in the NYC Tri. Its the neighborhood support and being proud to show people my neighborhood that got me through it.
Jeff Berger, the issue isn’t about the specific purpose of the event; it’s has to do with the dramatic increase in events that shut down transportation access many weekends a year, especially during the summer. As for NIMBYism, the west side historically and currently has far more shelters, SROs, neighborhood outreach and food pantries then any other area in the city I can think of offhand.
Fair attempt at virtue signalling on your part though.
I agree with Jeff 100%. In a country plagued by obesity (which is brought on by sitting around whining on blogs rather than going out and doing something), it is great to see people striving for physical fitness. I have watched the triathlon as a spectator in past years and found it to be great fun.
The triathletes come in from around the world and also spend money at our hotels, restaurants and stores, so they might be the ones responsible for your favorite store not closing down.
Also, they start very early in the morning and begin opening roads as quickly as possible, so when everyone is done with a section, they try to reopen that area. So many of those roads were opened well before two.
I hope all participants took precautions due to the weather. I saw a number of finishers in the neighborhood in the afternoon.
And to the person who could not get to urgent care, there are now urgent care locations every few blocks – it really isn’t that hard to find one.
Every day I get closer and closer to leaving this wonderful neighborhood as I can’t take the incessant whining – I think the UWS is the whine capital of the world.
@Jeff Berger
Actually my family contributes regularly to charities including organizations that fight against cancer – we just contribute and do not wait for a triathlon to do so. And we don’t “advertise” that we gave money or expect thanks. We just do it because it seems like the right thing to do….
As for the triathlon disruption, there are actually elderly and disabled neighbors – even people with leukemia- who depend on bus transit. (They pay taxes too🙂)
Nearly every weekend spring summer fall there are street closures due to walks or bike events or street fairs which translate into no access to bus transportation….but the triathlon is the most egregious in that it completely blocks north-south access.
@Jeff Berger
Charitable works are always commendable. Full stop.
I have never been clear on why a walk, or run or whatever is needed for people to give. Donate and don’t tie up public resources. Everybody wins.
PS UWSers also have a pretty good handle on narcissism and self-righteousness too.
This closure made it hard to get to urgent care because we could not get a bus up Amsterdam at 72nd. Police had no info on the bus route changes.
Awful. C line stations closed for renovations, 1 line closed for the triathlon, no buses, and no West side highway. This is was the situation yesterday on 86th street.Summer has become a nightmare of no service on the weekends. How about sharing out some of these events to the other boroughs?