Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the green oasis in the middle of Queens, is hosting two upcoming events meant to get residents out of the house and into the warm breezes of springtime in New York.
First, more than 3,000 runners are already registered for the inaugural 13.1 Marathon New York to be held at the park on Saturday, April 3. The half marathon begins at 9:13 a.m. in front of Arthur Ashe Stadium, and will wind through the park passing the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Wildlife Center and the Unisphere.
The course then loops around Meadow Lake, returns back into the park for a second loop and then finishes in the shadow of the Unisphere.
The race will benefit World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization that works to combat poverty.
“New York is one of the premier running markets in the country and we are extremely excited to be coming to the Metro New York area,” said Greg Laird, chief executive officer and founding partner of U.S. Road Sports & Entertainment Group of Dallas. “We look forward to a great race in America’s premier city and the site of two World’s Fairs.”
There will be an open winner for both males and females as well as for various age groups. Interested participants can register in person on Thursday or Friday, April 1-2, from 12 – 7 p.m. at Urban Athletics, 2 World Financial Center in the Winter Garden.
After the runners have had their fun, the park then turns its attention to hosting one of the biggest skateboarding competitions in the country this summer.
The Maloof Money Cup (MMC) comes to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park this June 5-6, boasting skateboarding’s biggest purse and the best in professional and amateur skaters.
Just in time to alleviate the closings of two famed city skate spots – the Brooklyn Banks and Unisphere – MMC forged an agreement to donate the skate park being built for the competition to the city and its skaters through the Adopt-A-Park program.
The 16,000 square foot skate park was designed by pro-skaters Chris Cole and Geoff Rowley, along with city skate legend Steve Rodriguez.
The Maloof Money Cup at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is a free event and includes a 50,000 square foot festival village with sports retailers and a variety of skateboarding activities for all ages.
For more information, visit www.maloofmoneycup.com.
