Event Information

Event Date and Time:
Saturday, Sep. 27, 2008.
Start: 8:30 a.m. for all events. Check-in: 6:30-7:30 a.m.
Event will be held rain or shine.

Start Area:
Prospect Park East Drive & Lincoln Road (off Ocean Ave) in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY. East side of park near Wollman Rink parking lot.
(Google Map) (Yahoo Map)

Distances and Categories:
— New York 100K: Rec/Fitness, Advanced/Speed, and Pro/Elite.
— NYC Skate Marathon (42K): Rec/Fitness, Advanced/Speed, and Open/Pro.
— Half-Marathon (21K): Rec/Fitness and Advanced/Speed.
— 5K Fun Skate: Rec/Fitness only - for skaters aged 13 and older.
— Youth 5K: Rec/Fitness and Advanced/Speed - for skaters aged 12 and under only.

Adult Rec/Fitness category is for "regular" K2, Rollerblade, etc.-type skates (soft boot higher than the ankle, 3-4 wheels), hockey skates, or dance/quad skates. Racing skates are not permitted in Rec/Fitness category. In youth Rec/Fitness category, all skate types are allowed. Advanced/Speed and Pro/Elite categories are intended for all speed/racing skates but any skates are permitted.

Skaters will start in waves according to category. First, all male Pro/Elite (both 100K and 42K races), then all female Pro/Elite skaters, then all male and female Advanced 42K skaters, then all male and female Advanced 21K skaters, then all male and female Rec/Fitness 100K and 42K skaters, then all male and female Rec/Fitness 21K skaters, and finally all male and female 5K skaters.

Age Divisions:
5K Fun Skate: 13-17; 18-34; 35-49; 50+
5K Youth Skate 12 & under only.
21K Rec/Fitness and Advanced/Speed: 12 & under; 13-17; 18-34; 35-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70+
42K Rec/Fitness and Advanced/Speed: 12 & under; 13-17; 18-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70+
42K Open/Pro: Junior (17 & under); Senior (18-34); Masters (35-44); Veterans (45+)
100K Rec/Fitness and Advanced/Speed: 17 & under; 18-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70+
100K Pro/Elite: Open (any age); Masters (35-44); Veterans (45+)

Prizes:
Cash purse for 100K pro/elite. Medals for age group winners. Merchandise prizes raffled amongst all participants and awarded to top finishers.

K2 King and Queen of the Hill Challenge:
The New York 100K includes a special points competition which counts towards determining the K2 King of the Hill. From laps 10 through 18 of the 100K, the first three men and three women racers across the finish line at the top of the hill will earn 3, 2, and 1 points. At the end of the race, the racers with the most points will be King and Queen of the Hill; in case of a tie for points, the highest ranked skater will win the jersey.

Powerslide 100K Sprint Challenge:
Pro/elite skaters in the New York 100K and in the 42K Marathon can take part in this points competition. Points will be awarded to the first three men and three women skaters across the line at the end of laps 2 through 6. At the end of the race, the racers with the most points will be the Sprint Champions. In case of a tie for points, the skater participating in the longer distance will win the jersey; if the tie occurs between skaters racing the same overall distance, the highest ranked skater will win.

Safety:
Helmets and wrist guards are required.

No iPods or other MP3 players, no headphones, no cellphones and no ski-type poles are permitted in any category.

Aid:
Water carrier is essential. Aid station will re-supply water.

Course Description:
The Prospect Park loop is smooth, wide, moderately hilly with one long climb and several smaller climbs. The loop is approximately 5.3K in circumference and has been entirely repaved within the last few years.

5K is 1 lap; 21K Half-Marathon is 4 laps; 42K Skate Marathon is 8 laps; 100K is 19 laps. Park drive is closed to traffic during event but is open for recreation use (cyclists, pedestrians, etc.); some caution and courtesy is required.

After-Skate Party

Join us Saturday evening after the race at Zanzibar, a restaurant and lounge in Manhattan's Midtown West at 401 West 45th St. on the corner of Eighth Ave. We'll start start gathering at 7:00 and stay until closing.

Please note: Younger skaters may attend the first few hours of the party, but unfortunately Zanzibar does not permit persons under the age of 18 after 10:00.

Transportation

Transportation:
Subway:
— B/Q/S train "Prospect Park" station is very close to start/finish area.
— 2/3 train "Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum" station is about 10 blocks away.
— 4/5 train "Franklin Ave" station is about 10 blocks away.

Driving:
— From Manhattan: Brooklyn Bridge, bear Left/straight off bridge, at first light turn Left (Tillary Ave.), turn Right onto Flatbush Ave [or Canal St. to Manhattan Bridge, straight onto Flatbush], Straight 3 miles to Grand Army Plaza traffic circle, follow circle 1/2 around and continue on Flatbush, bear Right onto Ocean Ave. following park. Right into park at Ocean and Parkside Ave., 200 yds, left into parking lot.
— From Other Points: Take best way to Interstate 278 (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway). From South, exit Cadmen Plaza, Right off exit, Left on Tillary, Right on Flatbush, follow as above. From North, exit Tillary St., Left onto Flatbush, follow as above.

Parking: Plenty of free on-site parking is available in Prospect Park's Kate Wollamn Rink lot.

Taxi: Approx. $25 from Midtown Manhattan.

Maps of Prospect Park are available on-line from the Prospect Park Alliance. Skate Marathon event central is on the east side of the park close to the entrance at Ocean Ave. and Lincoln Road.

Volunteers

Before the Marathon and 100K, we always need a few people to assist with event promotions and with mailings. Then the day of the event, we need volunteers to work the start/finish line area and to act as course marshalls around the Prospect Park loop.

Volunteers will receive special prizes and event T-shirt, food and refreshments. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator if you would like to assist.