NEW YORK (05-Dec) -- The New York Road Runners announced today that they would be capping the participation in some of their Central Park races next year at 5000 participants to allow for more freedom of movement for both runners and other users of the park. Participation in the Road Runners' regular "weekly" races has surged this year, with event finisher totals often exceeding 5,000 runners.
"We have never been about being the biggest, but the best," said Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg through a prepared statement. "In light of the continuing growth our races have seen over the past few years, we're simply reaching our capacity in Central Park. The change just makes sense, and we're confident runners will adapt."
Not all races using Central Park will be capped, Wittenberg stressed. High profile events, like the NYRR New York Mini 10-K and New York City Half-Marathon will not be capped. Events which are capped will be clearly identified on the organization's event calendar at http://www.nyrr.org. Wittenberg realizes that some weekly races will now sell out, something the Road Runners' vast membership isn't used to.
"While we expect Central Races races to sell out, fortunately we have a robust schedule of races throughout the five boroughs that will provide numerous opportunities for all to run," Wittenberg said.
The first capped race will be the NYRR Fred Lebow Classic on Saturday, January 10. That event is almost certain to sell out, given that it had 4409 finishers in 2008, and that entry totals always exceed finisher totals.
The Road Runners also issued the dates for their Professional Racing Series events, those events which feature invited athletes. There are eight such events planned for 2009, anchored by the 40th edition of the ING New York City Marathon on Nov. 1, the world's largest marathon.
03-Feb: NYRR Empire State Building Run-Up
26-Apr: More/Fitness Marathon and Half-Marathon (women only)
16-May: Healthy Kidney 10-K
06-Jun: NYRR New York Mini 10-K (women only)
30-Aug: NYC Half-Marathon
20-Sep: Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile
01-Nov: ING New York City Marathon
31-Dec: Emerald Nuts Midnight Run
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