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Getting from park slope to bay ridge on Sunday (NYC Marathon — Brooklynian

Getting from park slope to bay ridge on Sunday (NYC Marathon

snickers76
snickers76
edited November -1 in Park Slope
I have to get from Union & 4th to 83rd and 3rd in Bay Ridge by 9 AM on Sunday. I have to be back in Park Slope (union & 4th) by noon. What is the best way for me to travel? Is the R train even running on Sundays--especially this Sunday? Is it too risky to drive/take a cab?

Your help is appreciated!

Comments

  • domino
    domino
    MARATHON SUNDAY????!!!????
    I would think that the only option would be the R train.
    Given the amount of spectators and traffic considerations, I would assume that the governmental cogs would ensure the train is running.
  • djatty
    djatty
    Yeah, I have a related question - we have some guests coming over that morning who will probably arrive via the R train to Union Street. Seems like a dumb question, but will they be able to cross 4th Avenue to get to us?
  • peanuts
    peanuts
    They'll be able to cross but they'll have to wait for a break in the runners
  • ljnd
    ljnd
    I tried to do this years ago with a stroller (yeah, shoot me). The break was BARELY sufficient to get across and some of the runners were seriously pissed and I didn't blame them one bit. You CAN go underground and pass under the street via the R train, but it involves many many sets of stairs and a maze-like series of tunnels (I had the damn stroller and another kid as well, so...many sets of stairs were enormously challenging...). I felt horrible and guilty because I feared I'd screwed up someone's time by making them flinch and do a double-take and yell at me. The marathon only happens once a year, people train like mad for it, and I had to pick that ONE TIME to try to cross the street.

    If your guests are willing to live with that for the rest of their lives (said kid in stroller is now 12, and I mentally re-live that moment every freaking year)....
  • swngnmonk
    swngnmonk
    No pass-through between northbound and southbound R trains at the Union Street Stop. If they're coming from Manhattan, I'd suggest they go down to 9th street and then catch the uptown train on the other side.

    Alternatively, switch at Atlantic/Pacific for either the 2/3 or the B/Q, and get off on Flatbush & either 6th or 7th ave - a quick walk to Union from there. Or simply exit at Pacific, and walk down 4th ave, soaking in the insanity that is the Marathon.

    Crossing 4th ave at the peak of the Marathon is just going to make everyone (runners and the streetcrossers) unhappy. It's like crossing in the middle of the Thanksgiving day parade - a bad idea.
  • snickers76
    snickers76
    So, if I need to get to bay ridge in the morning, I should get on the R at 9th or Atlantic ave? Coming home, I should get off at 9th or Atlantic as well? I'm confused. Could I take a cab down 5th or would that be jammed up as well?
  • swngnmonk
    swngnmonk
    snickers76 wrote: So, if I need to get to bay ridge in the morning, I should get on the R at 9th or Atlantic ave? Coming home, I should get off at 9th or Atlantic as well? I'm confused. Could I take a cab down 5th or would that be jammed up as well?
    You can use either the 9th or the Atlantic stop without a problem - it's only Union Street that's troublesome (no pass-through).

    If you're heading to Bay Ridge in the morning, and you're coming from up the hill, go to Atlantic/Pacific or 9th street. Coming back, you can exit at Union (northbound is on the east/uphill/slope) side of 4th avenue.

    I'd avoid a cab - traffic on marathon sunday tends to be a clusterfuck.
  • domino
    domino
    I would take the R train at Atlantic (or which ever stop is closest to you). Since the marathon STARTS at 9AM on Staten Island, and you have to be in Bay Ridge at 9AM, you should probably be leaving at 8/8:15AM. I would assume there is enough time (since there are no runners at that point yet) for you to cross 4th Avenue to get to the Brooklyn bound side.

    5th Avenue might be jammed but there are also lights that are not synchronized. I think I would opt for the train.

    As for getting home, depends on the time frame. If it is late afternoon/evening - train or cab should be fine.
  • swngnmonk
    swngnmonk
    Scratch that!

    http://www.nycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/arrivals.htm

    The Union Street stop is around the 7-8 mile mark. You should have no problem crossing at 9am.
  • pitu
    pitu
    swngnmonk wrote: [quote=snickers76]So, if I need to get to bay ridge in the morning, I should get on the R at 9th or Atlantic ave? Coming home, I should get off at 9th or Atlantic as well? I'm confused. Could I take a cab down 5th or would that be jammed up as well?
    You can use either the 9th or the Atlantic stop without a problem - it's only Union Street that's troublesome (no pass-through).

    If you're heading to Bay Ridge in the morning, and you're coming from up the hill, go to Atlantic/Pacific or 9th street. Coming back, you can exit at Union (northbound is on the east/uphill/slope) side of 4th avenue.

    I'd avoid a cab - traffic on marathon sunday tends to be a clusterfuck.

    Under no circumstances get in a car on Marathon Sunday. The traffic repercussions radiate out all over the city.

    You're lucky, assuming you're on the Park Slope side of things. 9am is way before you can't cross the ave to get to the Bay Ridge-bound train, and the return trip puts you on the PS side of the street.

    I've had a marathon party most years, and I always warn people to get here early if they are coming from Manhattan (the Gowanus side of 4th Ave) There's a solid block in the middle where you don't want to be crossing, and you're kinda a bad person if you do...

    The Marathon has been changing some things around, like starting the wheelchair racers earlier than the runners, so check that site carefully...

    http://www.nycmarathon.org
  • aquamann
    aquamann
    i ran the race last year. it was one of the best experiences i've ever had. that being said, it was also one of the most exhausting experiences i've ever had. if someone had crossed the street in front of me at certain points during the race, i would have hit them... not out of malice but out of complete ignorance of their presence. be careful out there and keep in mind that for some of these people, this is a day for which they have worked and waited many years. cheer them on; it makes a huge difference!
  • snarkslope
    snarkslope
    pitu wrote: I've had a marathon party most years
    Does your first name start with B by any chance?
  • pitu
    pitu
    snarkslope wrote: [quote=pitu]I've had a marathon party most years
    Does your first name start with B by any chance?
    Nope.

    I have two or three friends running this year. It's super fun to watch the start of the race on tv, then roll down the road to watch it live. It's also pretty easy to gauge the action from the tv and bust down to the route just in time.
    :D
  • pitu
    pitu
    Aquamann wrote: i ran the race last year. it was one of the best experiences i've ever had. that being said, it was also one of the most exhausting experiences i've ever had. if someone had crossed the street in front of me at certain points during the race, i would have hit them... not out of malice but out of complete ignorance of their presence. be careful out there and keep in mind that for some of these people, this is a day for which they have worked and waited many years. cheer them on; it makes a huge difference!
    Woooo!
  • stacey
    stacey
    pitu wrote: [quote=Aquamann]i ran the race last year. it was one of the best experiences i've ever had. that being said, it was also one of the most exhausting experiences i've ever had. if someone had crossed the street in front of me at certain points during the race, i would have hit them... not out of malice but out of complete ignorance of their presence. be careful out there and keep in mind that for some of these people, this is a day for which they have worked and waited many years. cheer them on; it makes a huge difference!
    Woooo!

    Are you running this year?
  • aquamann
    aquamann
    no. but i ran one last weekend elsewhere. i applied for the lotto again this year but didn't get in. no worries. i'll apply again next year. after three failed entrances, you are automatically in the fourth; that's how i got in last year. there are other ways to get in (join the NYRR club and complete some races or agree to raise a ton of money), but i'm content with being a lottery guy.

    i am very much looking forward to watching and cheering for others. my favorite part last year was some of the church choirs that came out to sing throughout brooklyn. i might try and find one of them to stand near this yaer. such a great atmosphere.
  • stacey
    stacey
    I never knew about the 3 "strike out" rule.
    I do the same as Pitu - watch at home then head over to 4th Ave with a thermos of hot chocolate :) I am excited to see Edison Pena this year.
  • aquamann
    aquamann
    stacey wrote: I am excited to see Edison Pena this year.
    i was thinking about this. i want to see him, but he's not gonna be wearing a miner outfit. so i'm guessing the way one would have to pick him out is to look for the cluster of security or media or whatever is near him. oh, and the people who will run next to him so theat they will be in the shot with him when the television coverage goes his way.

    on a slightly different note; i am aware that people run in costumes every year, both in new york and at other races. however, last year there was a guy running in a perfect ivan drago costume. so there i was running the marathon next to drago. i even passed him. it was one of the greater moments in my life.
  • stacey
    stacey
    Aquamann wrote: however, last year there was a guy running in a perfect ivan drago costume. so there i was running the marathon next to drago. i even passed him. it was one of the greater moments in my life.
    LOL
    You are not human! You are a piece of iron!
  • ringrunner
    ringrunner

    I want to slide a little off topic and say thank you to the Park Slope community. Thank you for that extra burst of adrenaline I get when I pass Park Slope and see familiar faces.

    So look for me, I am the guy you saw yesterday on 7th Ave

  • stacey
    stacey

    ringrunner wrote 1 day ago »

    I want to slide a little off topic and say thank you to the Park Slope community. Thank you for that extra burst of adrenaline I get when I pass Park Slope and see familiar faces.

    So look for me, I am the guy you saw yesterday on 7th Ave

    Good luck ringrunner!

  • ringrunner
    ringrunner

    stacey wrote 21 hours ago »

    ringrunner wrote 1 day ago »

    I want to slide a little off topic and say thank you to the Park Slope community. Thank you for that extra burst of adrenaline I get when I pass Park Slope and see familiar faces.

    So look for me, I am the guy you saw yesterday on 7th Ave

    Good luck ringrunner!

    Thanks, I had a great time, especially in Park Slope.

    http://whatyourdonotknowbecauseyouarenotme.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-think-i-passed-kidney-stone-on-first.html

  • stacey
    stacey

    ringrunner wrote 7 hours ago »

    stacey wrote 21 hours ago »

    ringrunner wrote 1 day ago »

    I want to slide a little off topic and say thank you to the Park Slope community. Thank you for that extra burst of adrenaline I get when I pass Park Slope and see familiar faces.

    So look for me, I am the guy you saw yesterday on 7th Ave

    Good luck ringrunner!

    Thanks, I had a great time, especially in Park Slope.

    http://whatyourdonotknowbecauseyouarenotme.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-think-i-passed-kidney-stone-on-first.html

    So with all you went through those few miles - were you happy with your time?

  • aquamann
    aquamann

    this is my contribution from the marathon. i ran it last year and spectated this year. spectating is a bit easier, but kinda gross. i think you might have to copy and paste this for it to work. it's a fine marathon poem:

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=173191272697560&id=142055995830311

  • ringrunner
    ringrunner


    That is why I never run on the lower level of the Verrazano Bridge

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