The LIC Waterfront 5K run/walk is back in Long Island City on June 4. Pictured are participants during last year’s event (Photo Alex Lopez Photography)
April 26, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
The number of runners registered for this year’s LIC waterfront 5K has already surpassed 600, evidence that residents are eager to get outdoors and take part in physical activity.
The family-friendly run/walk, which is in its seventh year, is generating a great deal of buzz, with the number of registrants expected to surpass 1,200.
The run is returning to its traditional date of the first Saturday of June, with it scheduled to take place on June 4 at 9 a.m. The pandemic forced organizers to host the event in September last year, while in 2020 it was held virtually.
The event is for both runners and walkers, young and old. Children’s dashes will be taking place after the 5K on Center Boulevard. The dashes, which typically take place at around 10 a.m., have become an extremely popular component of the event and are open to children aged 2 to 9.
“The response this year has been amazing,” said Rob Basch, president of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy (HPPC), which is co-organizing the event along with the Queens/LIC Post, Woodside-Sunnyside Runners and Run LIC.
Basch added that residents are looking forward to getting outdoors once again in the wake of the pandemic.
“We encourage everyone to put down your screens, put on your sneakers and tour the best waterfront parks. We thank all the runners, corporate sponsors and the 108th Precinct as this event could not happen without everyone’s support.”
Basch is urging runners who have not signed up to do so quickly, since prices will increase after May 4. The event costs $25 for adults and $15 for children. Participants can sign up and run as part of a team this year.
All proceeds from the event will go to the HPPC (which was originally formed 24 years ago as the Friends of Gantry State Park), a non-profit that aims to maintain and promote the waterfront parks.
The funds raised from the event will be used to support programming in the parks and for upkeep of both Hunters Point South Park and Gantry Plaza State Park.
LIC 5K Course Map
The 5K race will begin at the intersection of Center Boulevard and Borden Avenue.
Runners will go through the commercial district on Vernon Boulevard all the way over to Queensbridge Park and then loop back to the starting line by passing through Gantry Plaza State Park and along Hunters Point South Park.
There will also be a water station located on Vernon Boulevard and 43rd Road, in front of the Con Edison Learning Center building. The water station was not put in place last year due to COVID-19 concerns.
The fastest three men and women will be presented with medals. All children who participate in the dashes will receive ribbons.
Registrants will receive a limited-edition race T-shirt and free swag-bag items. Name-customized bibs for children and adults will also be available to those who register early.
All participants will receive their results online and there will be photographs and video of them crossing the finish line at.events.elitefeats.com/22licwaterfront.
To register for the 5K or the children’s Center Boulevard Dash, click here.
Kids taking part in the 2021 Children’s Dash (Photo Alex Lopez Photography)
The LIC Waterfront 5K run/walk is scheduled for June 4. Pictured are participants during last year’s event (Photo Alex Lopez Photography)
Participants during last year’s event (Photo Alex Lopez Photography)
A participant running along Vernon Boulevard at last year’s LIC Waterfront 5K (Photo Alex Lopez Photography)
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