Running around Manhattan (Literally)

It is marathon season again, and I’m off running around Manhattan and beyond.
This year I am running the Marine Corps Marathon on October 28th in Washington DC.

I am really excited to see Our Nation’s Capitol at an 8:30/mile pace (or faster) and run my 20th marathon.

I can’t believe that when I started writing this blog in 2008 that I had only run 3 marathons.
Year in and year out, I encourage you to go and check out the NYC Marathon and cheer on the 50,000 runners who have worked so hard to get to the first Sunday in November.

I was struck this year by how incredibly interesting my run around Manhattan was, and will encourage you to go and take a look.

I am talking about walking, biking or running along the Hudson River, running around the bottom of the island, and running up along the East River.

Much of the construction is getting completed along the way, and the “holes” are getting filled in.

Here’s a short list of things that you could see during your trip:

• Hudson Yards
• Waterline Square
• Hudson Yards and the Vessel
• Pier 57 coming along
• Completed restoration of Pier 54, a former Ocean Liner landing area
• The Highline and surrounding neighborhood
• Chelsea’s Construction Explosion
• 160 Leroy
• 70 Vestry completed and gorgeous
• Citibank’s massive Fixup and public plaza in Tribeca
• Playgrounds and City Vineyard at Pier 26.
• The entire Brookfield Place development, transformed
• Pier A in Battery Park
• Lower Manhattan and around the bend into battery park city;
• The Governor’s Island Pier Building (more on their development soon!)
• The new South Street Seaport area in full flower
• All the Construction in the Financial District, skyscrapers and supertalls;
• The Underside of the FDR painted lavender!
• One Manhattan Square Nearly Completed
• All the parks along the East River! Amazing! Clean! Delightful!

If you continue on up the East Side you can see the extraordinary development of Cornell/Technion’s Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island, but before you even get there you can also take in the astounding construction beyond Stuy Town, where Murray Hill is transforming. A ton of new and interesting buildings are completed or being completed as well.
At a running, walking or biking pace you will see the details, see between buildings, experience the nooks and crannies of these areas, buildings.

I had a conversation with the team developing 70 Vestry, for instance.

Only when I really study the building can I see what they are talking about- the particular shade of the French Limestone, the wrought iron detail that helps integrate it into Tribeca.

Driving by, or sitting on your iPhone, you will certain miss the opportunity of taking in the “small stuff.”

It may feel like you’re not in Manhattan anymore, but at this pace, I think things start to come together.

Jane Jacobs might not hate it!
I struggle to give Mayor

de Blasio any credit for what development has taken place, either public or private (or in combination)- as every project began before his tenure.

What I can say is that it’s an entirely flat, partially shaded course, and during this time of year, a simply perfect way to take in Manhattan.

Instead of Apple Picking, take a trip around your island!

Have a great month- Scott