The park drives (former carriage paths) form a 6-mile circuit
around the park that is favored by runners, both recreational and competitive.
The New York Road Runners Club
promotes running in the park and frequently holds races on weekends.
The finish line for the
New York City Marathon is in Central Park near Tavern on the Green around
67th street. The first NYC Marathon was held entirely in the park in 1970 with
4 1/2 laps around the park drives (at around 6 miles per lap). Only 55 of the
127 entrants completed the race. The course was redrawn in 1976 to start at
the Verazzano Narrows Bridge and cover all five boroughs before ending in
Central Park.