Central Park, Sep 12–18: the loop is gone Sunday morning — two races and thunderstorms — then three perfect empty days

The clear run is over. After three weeks with nothing on the drives, this weekend puts a charity walk on the Bandshell Saturday, the Fifth Avenue Mile and Race for the Cure on top of each other Sunday morning, and an 83% chance of thunderstorms over the whole of Sunday. The good news is on the other side: Monday through Wednesday are sunny, mild and almost entirely unpermitted.

Weather this week

Saturday is the weekend’s only good day at 79° and mostly sunny, storms move in overnight, and Sunday runs 79° with an 83% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Monday through Wednesday come back clear and cool at 74–79°, which is where your long efforts belong this week.

Sat Sep 12 — Buddy Walk on the Bandshell 10 AM–2 PM

The NDSS New York City Buddy Walk holds Bandshell Plaza and Dead Road North from 10 to 2, with staging across the Mall and crowds arriving on the 72nd Street approaches from mid-morning. The Fifth Avenue Mile also carries an all-day permit at Grand Army Plaza; Saturday is its setup, not the race.

Run or ride before 9 AM or after 2:30. The south end is committed in between, and the drives carry pedestrian traffic on both approaches.

Four good things on foot, all in the morning: Birding Basics at Belvedere Castle at 10, with fall migration running; the Conservatory Garden Tour at 11, behind the scenes with the staff; the Seneca Village Tour at 2 from Mariners’ Gate; and a chess master playing thirty people at once at the Chess and Checkers House from 11.

East Meadow is closed and 32 private bookings have the scenic south end spoken for.

Sun Sep 13 — two races and a thunderstorm. Do not plan a morning.

The New Balance 5th Avenue Mile goes off at 7:25 AM from Grand Army Plaza, running up Fifth. Two hours later Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure takes Bandshell Plaza, 9 AM–2 PM, with a loop course and thousands of participants.

The loop is unusable from dawn to roughly 2:30 PM. This is not a “go early” week — early is exactly when the Mile is staging at the southeast corner. If you need the miles, the bridle path and the Reservoir are your options, or wait until mid-afternoon. And check the radar first: an 83% thunderstorm chance over a 9 AM charity race is a schedule that moves.

If it clears, the Summer Pollinator Walk leaves Boys’ Gate at 10 — the summer flowers are nearly finished, so this is close to the last one — and the Iconic Views tour goes at 2. East Meadow closed a second day.

Mon Sep 14 – Wed Sep 16 — the week’s real riding and running

Sunny, 74–79°, and the board is nearly bare: an evening dance program at the Bandshell Monday, a dinner at Naturalists’ Gate, a concert at Rumsey Tuesday night. Nothing on any drive, no crowds, no heat.

Take the long one Monday or Tuesday. After a weekend like this one, three clear mild days in a row is the gift.

Thu Sep 17 – Fri Sep 18 — showers return

Warmer and wetter, 82° Thursday and 79° Friday with shower chances both afternoons. Friday morning offers Birding Basics at Belvedere at 10 and the Seneca Village Tour at 2. The Osborn Cup holds Bowling Green all day Friday — bowls, not your line.

Steady all week

Bethesda Terrace and Fountain sits under an all-day “Closed” permit every day again — 21 consecutive days now, three full weeks, with no reason anywhere in the record. If the Terrace is on your walking route, it still isn’t available.

Bird Watching with Birding Bob runs five mornings from Loeb Boathouse at 7:30 and 8:30. East 106th Street lawn is out Monday through Thursday.

Quick recap

• Sunday morning is gone: 5th Avenue Mile 7:25 AM, Race for the Cure 9–2, 83% thunderstorms.
• Saturday: Buddy Walk on the Bandshell and Dead Road, 10–2. Ride or run before 9 or after 2:30.
• Monday–Wednesday: sunny, 74–79°, nothing permitted. The week’s long efforts go here.
• Four Conservancy walks and tours Saturday morning, plus the pollinator walk Sunday.
• Bethesda Terrace closed a 21st straight day.

Pick your mornings carefully, Central Park Guide