Sunday, April 28, 2013

Central Park
Manhattan, NY

Event Overview

Now in its tenth year, the Run As One event in New York City has become an annual "rite of spring" for thousands of runners and has grown to become a favorite cause race among runners and walkers alike. As a qualifying event for the ING NYC Marathon, the "Run As One" is much more than a cause race, attracting elite runners as well as recreational enthusiasts. Each year, our event has increased in size, with over 13,000 runners and walkers participating last year making it the world's largest 4-mile race!

Please be aware of some of the changes NYPD/NYRR have put in place in light of the Boston Marathon tragedy.  The big change is that no bags (e.g. backpacks, purses, diaper bags etc.) will be allowed.  If someone brings a bag in, they will be required to place the contents in a clear bag and place it in Baggage drop-off located on Literary Walk.  Packet pickup on race day will be on the far West side of Rumsey Playground, not in front of the band shell like in previous years.  You will be directed to enter Rumsey from the East of the playground and exit on the Southwest.  If you have already picked up you race packet before Sunday you can avoid the crush in Rumsey Playground before the race.

Below are additional instructions to provide a little more detail on the day.  There will be plenty of volunteers on race day to help you through the process.

 Race Course:

·     It will be the same course for both the run and walk that we have had in past years.  The race will start on East Drive south of the 72^nd Street Transverse.  Runners will start at 8:30 and head North and walkers will start around 8:50 and head South.

Baggage:

·     Due to the Boston Tragedy, no bags (e.g. backpacks, purses, etc) will be allowed on race day. 

·     For the runners and walkers who already picked up their race packets they will have been issued clear bags to place their gear into.  Once screened they will be directed to Baggage drop-off that will be located on Literary Walk, just south of the Bandshell (Wesy of Rumsey Playground)

·     For late registration runners and walkers,  all bags screened at the entrance to Rumsey Playground and participants will be directed to empty the contents of their bags into clear bags before being allowed to proceed into Rumsey to register or pick up their packets.  You must use this bag, with label affixed, to check any personal items in the designated baggage area.

Packet Pick Up and Late Registration:

·     This year packet pick up and late registration will take place in Rumsey Playground (also known as Summer Stage).  The playground is located just west of East Drive and south of 72^nd Street Transverse.  For security reasons you will be required to enter Rumsey from the east side of the Park (past the Mother Goose Statue). 

·     All bags screened at the entrance to Rumsey Playground and participants will be directed to empty the contents of their bags into clear bags before being allowed to proceed into Rumsey

Queuing for the Race:

·     Runners will be asked to proceed South on Literary Walk  down to East drive and back up to the Start Line

Queuing for the Walk:

·     Walkers will be asked to assemble outside the East side of Rumsey Playfield (near the Mother Goose statue) and wait for race officials to direct them out onto the course.

·     Even if Walkers do not enter Rumsey Playground before the start of the walk they will still be prohibited from carrying bags.

·     Strollers will be required to enter the rear of the corral and will be visually screened prior to entering the start chute.

Event History

In September of 2000, Thomas G. Labrecque, former chairman and CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank, was diagnosed with lung cancer and died eight weeks later. Tom never smoked and was in good health prior to his diagnosis. Following his death, his family and friends decided to create an annual event that would bring together many different groups of people to raise lung cancer awareness.

That goal has evolved into the "Run As One” event. It has something for everyone. A fast and flat 4-mile run, a 1.3 mile walk and a post-race event in Rumsey Playfield that offers children’s activities (moon bounces, face painters and carnival games).

Also at the post-race event is a health fair that showcases the work of several lung cancer foundations, each with staff on hand to answer people's questions about lung cancer and help inform them of the different programs available to patients and families affected by this disease.