The New York Road Runners (NYRR) were back in Central Park in New York City, New York on June 23, 2019 for the Achilles Hope & Possibility 4M. This amazing race brought athletes with disabilities and able bodies runners together for a race through the park side by side. Achilles International, the main sponsor of this race, brings together athletes of all types of disabilities so that they may participate in mainstreamed running events to promote the athlete’s personal achievement. This race hosted 5,882 race finishers (2,898 men and 2,984 women) which included handcyclists, wheelchair athletes, mobility-impaired athletes, and able bodied runners.

There are pre-race and post-race activities put on in front of the Naumburg Bandshell, not far from Bethesda Terrace and Bethesda Fountain, where music is played, there are various photo opportunities, and sponsors have booths set up with information and some free giveaways. The crowd at both at the festivities and the race itself was abuzz with excitement and created a friendly atmosphere to run in which was extremely nice.

The Achilles Hope & Possibility 4M is a race through the “inner loop” of Central Park. This race is set up in corrals and has staggered starts. Runners will start on East Drive near East 68th Street and run north, ascending Cat Hill in Mile 1. You continue north and and pass Engineers’ Gate at East 90th Street. Then you will turn left onto the 102nd Street Transverse as you approach Mile 2. Shortly after passing Mile 2 you will turn left on West Drive and run south through a series of three rolling hills as you pass the Reservoir on your left coming up to Mile 3. In the last mile of the race (Mile 4) runners will enjoy a downhill run as they approach the finish near The Tavern on the Green where they are awarded beautiful finisher medals.

I highly recommend this race to all runners as it’s a great distance and supports such an amazing cause.