I run the 5th Avenue 1 mile race in 2011, 2012 and 2015. So yes, you can say I would definitely recommend to run this race. I will probably sign up again this year. Why?
- The 5th avenue mile runs parallel to Central Park and you pass many famous NYC museums and Foreign Consulate buildings on the way down to the finish line. In NYC usually it is too cold or too muggy to run, but somehow on the morning of this race we always get the perfect running fall weather.The race corrals start in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. So if you get there early you can just hang out and take in the beauty of this building. You can also do some pre-race jogging in the middle of 5th avenue in front of the museum. I call that a coveted NYC moment!
- You always push yourself on tracks, but this is your official and fastest 1 mile you will ever run! Yes, you might see many runners puking after they finish - but everyone goes out there and puts in their 110% in this run which turns this race into a very high energy event.
- The race is split in different age and gender corals, so once you recovered from your mile, you can go back and cheer on the field. Just don't be embarrassed when some of the 70 year old runners are posting a faster time than you do ;)

PS: everyone says the course is flat, which is not entirely true. There is a slight upward hilly section at the midpoint, so don't tell me I did not warn you about that!