Spring arrives just in time to NYC

Central Park, NYC - Just when you think this winter wouldn't end, we get a Saturday like today. 50 degrees, bright warm sun, no wind. Bliss.

Columbia University Sophomore Kyle Merber goes sub-4 Video

Washington Heights, NYC - Columbia University Sophomore Kyle Merber, lead 4 runners under the 4 minute barrier in the Columbia Last Chance meet at the Armory yesterday.  He had a previous best of 4:02, set earlier this indoor season, and was the Millrose Boys Mile Champion in 2008.  Watch an awesome video of the race here http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?do=view&video_id=21900

Central Park Bridle Path Offically Open For Business

Central Park Bridle Path as of 1pm todayCentral Park, NYC - So the Bridle Path in Central Park is runnable! NYC runners rejoice.

NYRR & NYC lose bid to host 2012 USA Olympic Marathon Trials

Houston, TX - In a press conference yesterday, USATF CEO Doug Logan, announced their decision to award the Chervon Houston Marathon as the official host of both the Men's and Women's 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials. The NYRR and Boston Athletic Association played separate hosts at the previous trials, NYC awarded the men's and BAA, the women's. Despite what must have been a strong overture from the NYRR, a disappointed MaryWittenberg (shown above), President of the NYRR, vowed "for us at NYRR, our commitment to our athletes and our sport has always gone way beyond any one day." "We will look forward to continuing to host our American athletes often throughout the year at NYRR events." For more on the story, you can read David Monti's (of Race Results Weekly) full coverage on Letsrun. 
http://www.letsrun.com/2010/olymarathon0302.php

NYC Local, Edino Steele, Representing Jamaica at World Indoor Champs!

Edino Steele - Best name ever.Doha, Qatar - The IAAF World Indoor Championships takes place on Mar 12th - 14th in Doha, Qatar.  Edino Steele, a New York City local representing Jamaica, will race the 400m.  You can follow the action here http://www.iaaf.org/wic10/index.html

NYC Locals competing at USA Indoor Nationals in Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico -  Here's the list of NYC regional runners competing at USA Indoor Nationals:

Erin Donohue, Lesley Higgins, Delilah DiCrescenzo, Dustin Emrani.  You can follow the action here http://www.usatf.org/events/2010/USAIndoorTFChampionships/ as well as watch on ESPN2 tonight from 7pm -9pm.

NYC's Upcoming Races

Sunday, Feb. 28th - NYRR Al Gordon Classic (4m) Prospect Park 9am - www.nyrr.org

Saturday, Mar. 6th - Armory Youth Track Championships @ the Armory 9am - 3pm   http://ny.milesplit.us/meets/60291

Saturday, Mar. 6th - USATF East Region Open Indoor T & F Championships @ the Armory 3pm http://www.usatf.org/events/2010/EastRegionOpenIndoorChampionships/

Sunday, Mar. 7th - Coogan's 5k / Kids' Races 9am Adult race, 10am Kids' races http://nyrr.org/races/2010/r0307x00.asp

Sun's out

Central Park, NYC - Sort of. The roads in the park are runnable. Don't wait.

Man Killed by Falling Branch in Central Park

Central Park, NYC - We hesitate to post the horrible news of a New York City man who was hit by a large falling branch while walking through Central Park around 3:30pm this afternoon, due to a heavy accumulation of wet snow.  For any runners heading out to the park tonight, please proceed with caution and perhaps consider an alternative.  Here's the NY Times story http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/person-killed-by-falling-tree-in-central-park/#more-138981

200m Olympic Gold Medalist at Bejing competing in NYC on Friday

Veronica Campbell-BrownWashington Heights, NYC - The NYU Fastrack Invitational, held this Friday at 3pm at the Armory, will feature the women's 200m Olympic Gold Medalist from the Beijing games, Veronica Campbell-Brown!  This promises to be a great meet, so don't let the snow stop you from coming up to watch the action.  Meet details can be found here ...http://ny.milesplit.us/meets/55924

Central Park Coyote still on the loose

Cute CP CoyoteCentral Park, NYC - Gothamist.com is covering this story well, with just a few days ago releasing video of the beast.  Here's the link to the story http://gothamist.com/2010/02/23/coyote_1.php

NYRR Run 4 Haiti raises over $400,000!

New York City, NY - The big race this weekend was put together very quickly by the NYRR.  Big congrats to them, Mary Wittenberg, and all the runners, for making it happen!  Story and race results can be found here www.nyrr.org

4:10 1600m for NJ High School Star Pat Schellberg of Delbarton!

Pat SchellbergNew Jersey, Feb. 19th - We try to keep HATR news primarily focused on NYC running, but when we came across this New Jersey scholastic result tonight, we had to acknowledge it. First, it's a US #1 leading time for the year. Secondly, and most startling, is the consistency of his splits: 31.1, 31.6, 31.5, 31.6, 31.4, 31.1, 31.2. Having a difference of .5 of a second for a 200m lap at most, and the majority being just .1 - .2 of a second, is incredible!! Hats off to Pat Schellberg for a great race! Check out the meet results here http://NJ.milesplit.us/articles/36005

Governor Paterson announces budget cuts closing NYC & State parks

Riverbank State Park New York City, NY - Today Governor Paterson and State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash issued a statement announcing the full closure of 41 parks and service reductions at 23 additional parks throughout the State in a new budget proposal looking to close the gap in the State's $8.2 billion deficit. These closures would take immediate effect in 2010.  In New York City, the Riverbank State Park at 143rd St and Riverside Drive, which has a great track, would be subject to service reductions, basically limiting the time the park and track are available.  For more information on this story, how to oppose the closures, and a full list of parks visit New York - New Jersey Trail Conference http://www.nynjtc.org/news/park-closing-plans-announced-new-york

USATF Youth Championships at the Armory, Feb. 28th

Washington Heights, NYC - Here's the USATF link http://www.youthusatf.org/eastzone10.html and the Armory's link http://ny.milesplit.us/meets/61706  

Thursday Night At The Races Results?

Here's a tip, if you want to see the official results sooner than later, not wanting to wait endlessly on the NY Road Runners, check www.armorytrack.com under race results.

The Usain Bolt show selling out quick

New York, NY - Tickets for the Adidas Diamond League meet at Ichan Stadium, June 12th, are on sale and selling quick. The meet will sell out, so don't wait. Tickets can be found here www.adidasgrandprix.com and for section 'sell out' information join their Facebook group - Adidas Grand Prix.

Top NYS Girls & Boys Team Rankings

NYC, NY - Going into State qualifier meets today, here are the Top NY State Girls Team Rankings: Medgar Evans, Saratoga, North Shore (our alma mater), and Bronxville.  On the boys side: Sheepshead Bay, Mt. Vernon, Westbury,  and Tully.  Results and meet info here www.armorytrack.com

New Track & Field shop on the UES?

Upper East Side, NYC - So I've past by this shop a few times on Madison Ave and 78th st, and have been thrilled at the possibilities of a dedicated T&F store in Manhattan. Turns out, a Brazilian fitness apparel chain has moved their line of gear, in what seems to more like Lululemonthen real track and field wear, into this cool looking store. We'll reserve full judgement until after we go inside. Here's a link from nymag.com on the shop http://nymag.com/shopping/openings/63005/

CP roads are runnable, not 'workoutable.' Yet.

Central Park, NYC - Thanks to another beating of snow yesterday, the roads are sloppy but runnable.  By this afternoon, with the plows, salt, and warmer weather, it should be all good to run fast.