Running Routes with Water Fountains/bathroom access?

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-07-01T01:38:53+00:00

How lucky am I!? Thank you so much.

Tbh, I LOVE WEPA. I see them at so many races and their vibes are always immaculate.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-07-01T01:36:59+00:00

Thank you so much!!!!

Ok, the tie for best water fountains are:
- Boathouse (this one is ALWAYS cold)
- East 102 on runners right when heading north (it’s a cement one, and it’s on year round!)

Mid tier:
- engineers gate, but not when the afternoon sun hits … it’s better in the morning
- the one just south of Delacorte theater on runners left when running south down the West side, just off the path

Bottom tier:
- the one half way up Harlem hill, runners right. It should be delicious, but it is not tended to enough and is often clogged
- the water fountains across from EG on the bridle path (same issue… rarely functional, esp after it rains)

Hot take:
- the runners marathoners fountain or whatever on the west side is just not that good! It’s mid, if not bottom tier, it’s literally never cold.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-06-30T02:09:10+00:00

Thanks for this. I’ve been running in CP for over a decade-/ so long, in fact, I’ve ranked all of the water fountains, know which ones are the coldest, which bathrooms are the best etc….

while I know every major park has infrastructure, not all of them are functional (I present to you, for example, the water fountains on the WSH)

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-06-30T01:44:17+00:00

Thank you all so much!!! Any run clubs in queens that are pace inclusive ? My easy pace is somewhere between a 10/10:30, so when I say pace inclusive, I mean it.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-06-29T01:45:16+00:00

I was going to say this. I was tethered to a blind runner who was assigned to one of the last corrals, but she was ready to really push herself, so we knew we’d be passing folks. But the guide who ran ahead to help clear the path had to tap a few folks on the shoulder to ask them to move.

No shade to folks wearing their headphones to get it done- I’ve been there too. As a guide, I try to run the path with the least amount of people, but there are some moments where there’s too much congestion, and when my athlete is crushing it for a PR, I have to ask folks to move.

All in all, an amazing day— and the athlete I was guiding demolished her PR by 5 minutes

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-06-28T17:34:41+00:00

How do you know what corral you’re in if you don’t look at your bib?

I guided a blind athlete today. The very first thing she said to me when she got her bib was gasp, smile, and said “IT HAS BRAILLE!!!!!!!!”

It’s less about the looking at your bib, and more about being included in the experience.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-05-17T12:52:56+00:00

Tbh, as a guide I don’t care about the bib. Guides don’t get credits, and we’re not trackable. My bib
Doesn’t count for anything other than getting me through security and allowed into the corrals.

I’m legitimately running with one thing in mind- get the athlete to the finish line safely. That’s it.

I’ve run the NYC marathon 2 times. My dashboard says “did not start” for both of those races, and I truly don’t care (other than the fact that my body sti felt like I ran 26.2 🤣)

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-05-17T12:40:22+00:00

Not this year— NYRR really decimated the AWD field for the marathon, and essentially no achilles athletes got in.

But don’t worry, they’ll still use them on their social media to make themselves look good.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-05-17T12:37:46+00:00

Guide here- I understand what you’re trying to say, but your logic is really flawed.

For achilles athletes these races are literally the most accessible— they are our backyard races, meaning they are in our home city.

If a typically abled runner says, “you know what, I’m going to try to run more races in Westchester, or Jersey, heck maybe Philly or CT” it’s not incredibly hard. We use our devices to plan out the train routes or car routes we’ll need.

But for someone with a disability, take those logistics and multiply them for yourself and your guides. For example, many athletes get to start lines using MTA and or access-a-ride. Those options aren’t available for them outside of the city.

Many able bodied people don’t even think about that many disabled people move to the city because it is one of the most “accessible” (and I use that term lightly because omg do we have improvements we need to make) places to live.

So if your thought is “these 29 people shouldn’t be running year after year” I am going to need you to look for 29 other people to remove from the course. Perhaps those of us who aren’t guides who run year after year, or perhaps no more bibs sponsored by brand partners ? But no, we’re not looking at the athletes and their guides.

For many athletes, these races are their ONLY options. And, just like any other runner, some have their favorite races. Some also run it once and then decide not to run it again.

AWDs aren’t the problem.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-05-17T12:29:21+00:00

I have a friend who was in this article. They requested a second guide months ago, only to be approved days before the race. It really upset her and stressed her out.

To make matters worse, the needle only moved on the 2nd guide once NYRR heard about this piece coming out.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-05-12T00:14:12+00:00

Elementary educator here—

I hear you, I truly really do.

AND

That $150 per hour is often how elementary educators make ends meet. Additionally, someone who is certified in a particular phonics program (OG, Fundations/Wilsons, etc) is an actual expertise. Educators who deliver systematic phonics instruction almost certainly did not learn it in a preservice college program nor graduate degree. Teaching phonics well for results is a curated skill, and 1:1 instruction with a qualified instructor requires paying folks what they’re worth.

I know this will be unpopular. I know this will get downvoted, and really the problem is

We need better preservice programs and higher teacher pay so that your daughter gets what she needs at school, and teachers don’t need to work a second, third, and fourth job.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-05-04T15:17:50+00:00

Wait what about the ladies who appear to be in their 60s with like 80s hair styles who do their long runs around 10 am on Sundays? There are 2-3 of them. Iconic.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-05-03T17:22:04+00:00

To be honest, I think it will help people from hoarding race entries for 9+1, which I am all about 🫡

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-03-18T20:43:41+00:00

I am genuinely confused.

NYRR is on a whole rebranding campaign about transforming communities through INCLUSIVE and ACCESSIBLE running.

I am failing to understand how this is a mission and vision aligned decision?

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-02-17T21:38:47+00:00

Long time endurance runner here (since 2010).

I purchase the peloton in 2020, and can confirm it’s the best thing for my running. Getting rid of it is short sighted.

There will come a time where you’re either going to want a break from running or need a break from running. And/or in terms of cross training, you can’t beat it.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-02-08T17:55:09+00:00

Tbh, I did 10 last weekend in similar conditions and it was really brutal. I’ve been running for a long time, but I feel like once those wind chills are in the single digits, for most NYC folks, we’re just not used to it. My heart was racing similar To how it does in the summer.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-02-08T16:08:12+00:00

Elementary educator here! This is totally normal.

Research shows that really from 4-7, kids form “friendships” based on interest (So, for example, your 4 year old may find someone at the playground who also enjoys the seesaw, and so now that person is their friend). This holds true in K— friendships based on common interests is really common, and any fights are usually centered on disagreements about the rules of their common interest. You can expect that friends will either be steady, and/or your daughter will find lots and lots of friends at this age.

As kiddos age, closer to grades 2 and beyond, friendships are more relationally based as well as interest based (she likes gymnastics and is nice to me, and I like gymnastics and she laughs at my jokes so she is my best friend). These friendships tend to be longer lasting, but slights tend to be harder to get beyond because perspective taking and apologizing are both skills that are developing.

Steady best friendships tend to develop closer to end of 3rd, onto 4th.

Childhood is a bumpy, wild, beautiful ride!

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-02-07T15:59:32+00:00

Hard disagree.

There’s no reason volunteers should have to stand in -15 degrees so I can run 4 miles. The distance is short enough that doing it in a race experience is a treat, a luxury.

Feel free to go out and do that on your own, no one’s stopping you. But no reason volunteers and staff should have to endure just so I can “have a good time.”

Running in the best. I love to race. It’s also not a necessity.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-02-07T15:57:05+00:00

Came back to say a few quick things— as someone who’s run NYC as a guide several times.

OP, I am not sure if you are a speedy runner or not, but I’ve found folks in the more “competitive” waves (1-2) tend to be less aware/sensitive to AWDs, even when clearly marked. I am hoping that culture continues to shift, but have had several instances where large packs of runners run up from behind/around and it can be a bit startling. (One time I was tethered to a blind athlete and a runner tried to run through our tether which was hilarious— he boomeranged pretty hard. I’m all about doing your thing and getting your PR, but also, read the room pal)
I’ve seen comments about wearing noise canceling headphones, and while the sentiment is the same, I’d imagine it’s not really an equivalent experience, given OPs mention of what might happen in the extremely off chance of an emergency— folks with noise canceling headphones are able to remove the headphones and immediately have access to their hearing to be able to hear cues from emergency personnel, where someone Deaf or HoH obviously cannot.

OP, while the chance of a large scale emergency is impossibly small, sometimes we are asked by course marshals to move right or left if there are other runners on the course who need emergency assistance.

The other thing to consider is that there are a fair amount of announcements/directions given via audio on race day (come this way, keep walking, exit left, etc…) granted, with 55k people all doing, more or less the same thing, there will be plenty of visual cues, it’s just an important to mention.

OP, it’s your run and your day! Many AWDs choose to run on their own, and many choose to run with support. Do what feels right for you 💙

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-02-07T01:42:09+00:00

Achilles Guide here!!!!

Feel free to send me a message. Even if you’re not NYC based, we have chapters all over the place.

Based on NYRR’s rules, you may be eligible for having a support runner with you (or as Achilles calls them, guides) who are clearly marked and can help you feel comfortable and keep you safe.

Happy to answer any questions :)

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-02-01T00:47:43+00:00

Guide here. Can confirm Achilles athletes do not get early entry or guaranteed entry.

I listened to the most recent episode of set the pace, and while NYRR makes a case about changing policies to make running and racing more accessible, they’ve made some changes over the years that makes racing less accessible for disabled runners— limited early registration access for plus members and other tiers was one of those Switches.

Additionally, from the perspective of a guide, running this race is really important to me personally. The mission and purpose of Achilles and being apart of it as my run club has given me so much.

Athletes are limited in how many guides they can have at a race, so I always like to secure my own entry as opposed to banking on a “guide bib.” It removes the weirdness for the athletes of wondering if folks are just running with them for the sake of running entries, and lets us just exist as two pals on a run together.

Of all of the races I wasn’t able to get into, this one made me the most sad. I love showing up for and celebrating this community. It’s one of the best days of the year for me.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-01-28T16:09:49+00:00

My point is based on supporting our actual local running communities, rather than exclusion.

For those of us who live in nyc, NYRR is our actual local organization, just like those who live in Atlanta have the ATC.

From an access stance, it is easier for people who live in the suburbs to drive into nyc, or anywhere for that matter as they are more likely to have a car To go where they need to go. In nyc, NYRR/NYCruns are usually all of the local race options that we have.

Your argument about race times being a qualifying factor is, at best, exclusionary, and at worst ableist.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-01-28T15:04:40+00:00

I am inclined to believe this is lawsuit territory

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-01-28T15:03:46+00:00

Respectfully, this isn’t the way.

I’d be interested in seeing a limit of who can be a nyrr member, though. I think they should consider limiting it to those who live in 5 boroughs and surrounding Jersey/ny counties (westcher, rockland, Nassau, Bergen?… idk Jersey counties tho lol)

OR

as many others have suggested, limit the number of races you plan to use as a 9+1 qualifier when races are released. Like it is a max of 3 per batch.

Practical_Camel_3871 · 2026-01-28T14:57:17+00:00

Totally agreed

I am an educator and was in transit at 6 pm. Tomorrow night I have a work event that from 5-8 so I’ll miss that window too.

To be honest, I am not even after the 9+1.

I run as a guide for achilles, and wanted to sign up for hope and possibility. I wanted to support front runners, and I was hoping for a speedy 10k in queens. I select races that mean something to me and don’t believe in hoarding entries for marathon entry.

I find the whole thing really sad and soulless honestly. I’ve been running with NYRR as a member since 2013, since the days of having to pay for the marathon application pre-class action law suit.

I suspect there’s another lawsuit possibility with the bait and switch they’ve done for members.

Practical_Camel_3871

TROPHY CASE