A New York Mile

If you are in New York City next Saturday (Sept. 22), looking for something to do, the folks at NYRR have your answer.

It's the 31st Fifth Avenue Mile, a day when the City shuts down Fifth Avenue along the east side of Central Park between 60th and 80th Streets in favor of people not cars.

The races — sponsored by Nissan — flow downtown, starting at 80th and ending around 60th, from as early as 8:45 am and running through 1:30 pm or so. Age group races, a media race, the runaway bridesmaids, the NYRR road mile championships, the children's race and the pros.

Here's advice for the runners from NYRR.org:

The first quarter-mile, to East 75th Street, is slightly downhill, so your pace may be a bit quicker than you planned to run — but the second quarter-mile, to East 70th Street, balances that out with a moderate uphill. When you crest that rise, you'll be able to see the finish, but don't make your big move yet — it's farther away than it seems. The third quarter-mile is another gentle downhill, to 65th Street. Now you're in the final quarter-mile, and you'll be loudly encouraged by thick crowds on both sides of the road. It's a flat final five blocks to the finish line at East 60th Street. You'll cross under a finish banner with a clock right over your head — try to dig down for every last second! When you've caught your breath, you'll find refreshments near the finish at Grand Army Plaza.

Of course, the professional race garners much of the attention and this year will be no different. That's because the U.S. miler is back on the international scene.

First it was Jenny Simpson's World Championship gold medal in the 1,500 a year ago followed by Leo Manzano's Olympic silver. And, of course, young Matthew Centrowitz — who won the Wanamaker Mile last February — has been running at the front of the finals at both global events. He took bronze at Worlds and fourth at the London Games.

All three of those athletes will be running down Fifth Avenue along with the ageless Bernard Lagat, last year's men's champ, and Shannon Rowbury. But Simpson, the defending women's champion, and Rowbury must fend off a charge from Great Britain as four female Olympians from the host nation — Hannah England, Barbara Parker, Eilish McColgan and Julia Bleasdale — will be coming after them.

Make that your Saturday, a stroll through the Park with some magnificent miles added for free.