Nearly 7,000 runners took part in the New York Road Runners Queens 10K at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on July 21.
Runners came from all over for the race, which featured about six miles around the park, including in front of Citi Field, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and the Unisphere.
“It was fun to run next to Citi Field,” said men’s winner Christian Thompson, who hails from Philadelphia and left before 5 a.m. to make the race. “I’ve never been here and I love seeing places I’ve never seen before. And NYC is just unlike any other place on earth.”
The event was the third race of the Road Runners five-borough tour series. Participants were given discounts to save on food and shows at local Queens businesses, such as The Queens Theatre, The Museum of the Moving Image, Limoncello Italian Restaurant, The Laughing Devil Comedy Club and Donovan’s Pub, among others.
For some of the runners it worked as a stepping stone and practice for the New York City Marathon in November, the Road Runners premier event.
In her first time running in Queens, Jayne Grebinski was the female winner and set a new record, completing the course in 37:20.
“I’m honored. It’s nice to get into a race, to be able to get out there and know that you are on-line with the competition with years past,” Grebinski said.
Since the Boston Marathon tragedy the Road Runners have increased security, use bomb sniffing dogs before races and require runners to carry clear bags if they need to carry items.
But many participants weren’t concerned with a terror threat at the event.
“I’m not going to stop living my life or having fun, because stuff happens, Forest Hills native Rahmin Pavlovic said.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
- East Elmhurst boy runs five-mile race to raise money for autism program
- Cyclists take part in sixth annual Tour de Queens
- Bayside marathoner runs for a cause
