NYCRUNS Frozen Penguin 5K
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NYCRUNS Frozen Penguin 5K : Central Park, New York (January 10, 2027)
The NYCRUNS Frozen Penguin 5K is an annual 5-kilometer race in Central Park, held since 2014. The course begins near 89th Street on West Drive, heads south with a turn at 72nd Street, then proceeds north up East Drive and finishes at the 102nd Street Crossing. A hydration station and bathrooms are located just before Mile 2, and medical assistance is available along the course. All NYCRUNS courses are USATF-certified.
Start corrals are pace-based and assigned by letter (AA-F); the corral letter is shown on each bib and pace can be updated in the NYCRUNS Dashboard. The Festival Area is at the 102nd Street Crossing adjacent to the North Meadow ballfields next to East Drive. Mass transit is recommended; suggested subway and bus access points to the park are provided.
On-course and finish amenities include bag check with a single clear bag provided (18 x 24 inches), bathrooms near the start, water on course, electrolyte fluids at the finish, participant singlets available on race day only, a finisher medal, and post-race bagel options and a New York State apple. Race-day photos are emailed after the event and one photo can be downloaded for free.
Handcycle and Wheelchair divisions are accommodated and automatic entry is applied when the athlete profile reflects that designation. Results are emailed and published online. Awards are given to the top three male, female, and non-binary finishers overall by gun time and to the top three in each age group by net time in the listed age ranges. Event policies include no refunds and no transfers, no strollers or dogs, restrictions on earbuds that impair awareness, and enforcement of time limits and marshal instructions. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
