2024 PPTC Al Goldstein Speed Series 5Ks

We are pleased to announce the return of the PPTC Al Goldstein Speed Series for 2024.  As always, seven races are scheduled on alternating Wednesday evenings: May 22, June 5 (Global Running Day!), June 19, July 3, July 17, July 31 and August 14.  You can register for the complete series of 7 races for only $50.  Don't think you can make 7 races?  You can register for individual races at $12.50 per race.  Finally, if the race has not sold out, you may do walk-in registration in-person on race day at Lakeside for $15 credit or cash from 6:15 to 7 pm. 

• "Rain Date" Race on August 28: In the event of inclement weather that results in a race cancellation, Race Directors will hold a make-up race on Wed, August 28. If you would like to obtain the 7-race Series medal and a race is cancelled, you will need to participate in the race on August 28 to complete the race series and get the medal.

Please refer to our website (https://pptc.org/summer5k) for all details about the series.  You should check our website regularly as details are subject to change, pending NYC Parks and local government regulations.

Registration

• You can purchase a series bib that is used for all 7 races for only $50. Season bibs are on sale from now through Tuesday 5/21 at 12 pm, or until we sell out.  Season bibs will not be available for purchase after 5/21.

• The entry fee for individual races is $12.50 each when registering online in advance. If the race hasn't sold out, the Day-of-Race registration fee is $15, and you can register online or on-site at Race Central. If you register on-site, you may pay by credit card (via registration on your phone) or cash, available from 6:15 - 7 pm on the evening of the race. Please bring exact change if paying by cash.

• Online registration for each race will open 2 weeks in advance and close at 12 noon on race day.  Registration for race 1 (5/22) will open 3 weeks in advance on 5/1.

• The season bib allows you to run in any or all of the 7 races while only registering once.  If you register for individual races, you can only register for 1 race at a time.  A new registration is required for each race.

• Apologies, but we will not offer bib transfers or refunds.

• Due to liability reasons, we cannot allow strollers or pets.

• Prospect Park Track Club welcomes athletes with all abilities. As a courtesy, we ask that runners who need Achilles guides or other special equipment please start at the middle or back of the pack, or message us for an early race start time. If you have questions about race accommodations, please email us.

2024 Race Details

Races take place on alternating Wednesday evenings in Prospect Park.  The 2024 dates are:  May 22, June 5, June 19, July 3, July 17, July 31 and August 14.  All races start at 7:10 pm*.  Please be prompt. You must start the race by 7:15 pm or your start time may not be recorded properly. There will be no multi-wave starts.

Races will take place rain or shine. Any decision to cancel due to dangerous weather conditions and/or air quality issues will be announced in the afternoon the day of the race, and will be messaged through email, PPTC social media, and updates on this website.

*Traditionally, this race began at 7:10 pm because back in the olden days, cars could use West Drive until 7 pm, and we would wait until all of the cars were out of the park to begin the race.

Race Day Logistics & Amenities

Races start on East Drive at Center Drive, approximately 1/4 mile north of the Concert Grove Pavilion and the East Drive finish line located at Harry's Wall.**

• Bib pickup and Bag Check: Takes place at Lakeside at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park

• A restroom maintained by Prospect Park is located at Lincoln Road and at the LeFrak Center

• Water fountains are available at Harry's Wall, Lakeside and at Center Drive.  There is one course water station located just before the 2-mile mark.  Water also will be provided at the finish line.

• We will post race results online and hold an awards ceremony at Lakeside after the race, including awards for the top 3 runners in each gender category and age group combination: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 and over.

• If you are eligible for the 7-race completion award, medals will be distributed at the awards ceremony at race 7 on 8/14. Note: If a race is cancelled due to inclement weather, we will hold a make-up race on Wed 8/28, and you will be required to participate in this race in order to receive the 7-race completion award medal on 8/28.

• The time limit on this course is 15 minutes/mile. The course will be officially open until 8:10 pm. Bag check will also close at 8:10 pm.

• This is a USATF-certified course, certification code NY23032DNB. View the Course Map.

All activities for this race, including bib pick-up, will take place outdoors.

Walkers are welcome, but due to liability reasons, we cannot allow strollers or pets.

**Harry's Wall is named in memory of PPTC founder Harry Murphy, who for years served as coach and mentor to many runners in Prospect Park.

Bag Check Guide

Our bag check (and the entire race) is fully staffed by volunteers. Please be courteous and read the suggestions below, so that our team can care for your bag as best as possible!

1. Rip the strip from the bottom of your bib and use a safety pin to attach it to your bag in a highly visible spot. Safety pins are available at the bib pickup station. If you lose your strip, you can DIY the bag check strip with markers and paper.

2. Bring your own bag. Everything you check must be in a bag and we do not supply bags. Things that are not bags: sweatshirts, water bottles, fishing rods, scooters, a pack of juice boxes, collapsible bikes, dogs.

3. Consolidate your bags. If you have more than one bag, put them all in a bigger bag, or make sure they are connected to each other. Tie the handles together with a necktie, use a bungee cord, take off your shirt and use it as a rope. Be creative! If you're running with a buddy and know you'll be finishing at the same time, tie your bags together and pick one person's bib number to represent both.

4. Don't store your water bottle (or anything else) in the holder on the outside of your bag. They have a habit of falling out.

5. One number per bag. Your bag can only have one bib number on it.

6. Get your bag by 8:10 pm. We need to close the bag check and get home too!

7. Make sure you have everything you need (and nothing you don't) before checking your bag. If you're going to stick some clothing back in your bag immediately before the race, give us a head’s up.

8. Stay outside of the bag check zone. Respect the barricades.

9. Silence your phone. If we hear an alarm or some other grating noise, we will go digging for it and turn it off ourselves.

10. Don't check anything super valuable. We are not responsible for any theft or damages. This is a public park; something may spill or be taken without our noticing.

Awards and Medals

We are thrilled to have medals that honor our beloved Prospect Park, in the shape of the PPTC Al Goldstein Speed Series race course. Runners who place in the top 3 of their category (female, male or non-binary) and 1st in their Age Group will receive a gold-colored medal.

Runners who complete all 7 races in the series will receive a silver-colored medal OR if you registered for and ran all 7 individual races. Help us go green: You may opt out of the series medal during registration.

Sponsors

We are excited to partner with sponsors who value community—especially our Brooklyn running community—as much as we do. Over 2000 runners participate throughout the course of the summer, so this is a great way to get your message out to a diverse community.

Ascent Physical Therapy NYC: We are a private, independently owned/operated physical therapy clinic in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. With unparalleled expertise and experience in the field we provide the highest level of care to professional athletes, weekend warriors and anyone looking to move and feel better. Our team specializes in manual orthopedic physical therapy with a focus on returning athletes to their sport and maximizing performance. We provide you with the tools and confidence to not only get back to your activity, but to exceed your prior performance.

Community Partners

We are proud to announce that a portion of the proceeds from this race series will be donated to community non-profits:

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

• Back on My Feet: Make a profound difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness or addiction in your community.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness

We encourage you to check out how they’re making our community better, and if you’d like, you can make an additional donation when you register for the race. All donations collected throughout the series will be shared equally among our charity partners. Should you like to make an additional donation, please use the DONATE button at the top of the page, and thank you kindly for your generosity.

Press/Media Policy

Prospect Park Track Club welcomes journalists and photographers who would like to cover our public races. These races include the PPTC Cherry Tree 10 Miler & Relay, the PPTC Al Goldstein Speed Series 5Ks, the PPTC Turkey Trot: Race for Reconciliation, and the PPTC 50 Miler / 50K Endurance Fest. If you would like to cover a race, please email to let us know at least 3 days in advance of the race date, and include information below. If approved, you will be issued a press badge that will identify you as press.

• Full name(s)
• Phone number(s)
• Media outlet (if applicable)
• Running club affiliation (if applicable)
• Race you would like to cover
• Coverage explanation: intended goal, story pitch, is there anyone in particular you’d like to interview, etc
• Are you willing to give Prospect Park Track Club the rights to share your photos online for future race promotion purposes? Do you have an Instagram handle you’d like credited?

We will use this info to better coordinate coverage and photographer positions on the course. Journalists and photographers who do not obtain media clearance before the race may be asked by course marshals to leave the race course and race premises. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Contact Us

For any additional questions, please contact summer5k@pptc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at @ProspectParkTC, where you can follow us for all kinds of great running-related content!

Cover Photo Credit: Joe Park / @joeparkphotos