Central Park, Oct 24–30: three West Drive closures this week, then the loop goes entirely for the marathon weekend

Marathon week, and the west side starts going piece by piece. West Drive closes three separate times this week — a kids’ race Sunday morning, the blue-line painting Wednesday, the Opening Ceremony Friday evening — and then the loop is gone completely for Dash day and the marathon.

Monday is your last fully open day, and it is 69° and sunny.

Weather this week

Sunny or mostly sunny every day: 61°, 65°, 69°, 58°, 60°, 67°, 69°. Rain 0–4%. Nights 43–53°. Two flawless weeks back to back — unusual, and worth spending.

Sat Oct 24 — drives open, Mall busy

The Ronald McDonald House Fun Run stages at Bandshell Plaza 8 AM–2 PM. Six hours and the Mall will be dense, but it does not close a drive — ride the outer loop and you will hardly notice it.

Two Fall Foliage Photo Walks go from the north end: The Pool, 9:30–11:30 AM and Boys’ Gate, 10 AM. If you run or walk the Ravine and the Loch, this is the weekend the colour peaks.

61°, partly sunny. East Meadow closed, 32 private bookings on the scenic spots.

Sun Oct 25, 8 AM–12 PM — West Drive goes for the Kids Kickoff

The NYRR Kids Kickoff holds West Drive all morning. First of marathon weekend’s satellite events, and a real closure — not a staging permit.

Go clockwise, or go after noon. East Drive and the cross drives are unaffected.

Afternoon is clear, and the North Woods woodland walk goes at 10 AM from Dana Discovery Center if you would rather be on foot. 65° and sunny.

Mon Oct 26 — 69°, sunny, nothing booked

Your last fully open day before the weekend. Nothing on any drive, warmest day of the week, no rain.

If you have one long effort left in October, this is where it goes. After Monday the west side is interrupted three times and then the whole loop disappears.

Tue Oct 27 – Wed Oct 28 — one hour gone Wednesday

Tuesday is 58° and clear with nothing booked.

Wednesday 9–10 AM: the blue line gets painted on West Drive. One hour, and worth knowing about rather than avoiding — the line you have been running over all year gets laid during that hour, and the ceremony is open. 60° and mostly sunny otherwise.

Thu Oct 29 – Fri Oct 30 — the Opening Ceremony takes the west side

Thursday is 67° and clear. Friday 4–7 PM the Marathon Opening Ceremony holds West Drive — the west side is committed through the evening, so ride early or go clockwise.

Friday morning: the Ramble woodland walk at 10 AM from Belvedere Castle, 69° and sunny. The last one before the race takes the park.

Sat Oct 31 – Sun Nov 1 — the loop is gone

Just past this email’s window, and the reason to read the rest of it:

• Saturday: Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, 8:45–11 AM on the Ted Corbitt Loop, finish at Grand Army Plaza from 8 AM.
• Sunday: the TCS New York City Marathon, 8 AM–5 PM, 55,000 runners finishing in the park.

Do not plan road miles either day. The bridle path and the Reservoir track stay open and are the only sensible option. If you are running it — the blue line you watched being painted on Wednesday is the one you follow.

Steady all week

The marathon build-out permit runs through Nov 10 across the finish-line end. Scaffolding and fencing thicken on the west side and around Tavern on the Green all week. That permit does not close the drives — the three events above do.

Bethesda Terrace and Fountain closed all day, every day; permits now run to November 23, a ninth extension.

Bird Watching with Birding Bob rotating — Loeb Boathouse weekend, Strawberry Fields Monday, Conservatory Garden Friday.

Quick recap

• Monday is your last open day — 69°, sunny, nothing booked. Spend it.
• West Drive closes three times: Sunday 8–12, Wednesday 9–10, Friday 4–7.
• Oct 31 and Nov 1: the loop is gone. Bridle path and Reservoir only.
• Two foliage photo walks Saturday, north end, peak colour.
• Wednesday 9 AM: watch the blue line go down.
• Bethesda Terrace now closed through November 23.

Spend Monday, Central Park Guide