Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, And Shamrocks: Route, Closures

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A race that celebrates the diverse community of Washington Heights will be run this weekend, closing many neighborhood streets. Runners will take to Washington Heights roads Sunday, March 4 for the Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K, according to race organizers.

The race was founded by neighborhood staple Coogan's, but is now organized by New York Road Runners. This year's race has added significance due to a recent scare that Coogan's would be forced to shut down.

Whether you're interested in attending the race or avoiding it, here's what you need to know for Sunday.

Race time:

The Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K is set to begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, but racers should definitely show up early to get ready. Any racers who didn't pick up their tags before race day must do so at the Armory on Fort Washington Avenue and West 168th Street between 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Bag check for spectators will be located at West 169th Street and Fort Washington Avenue and will open around 7:30 a.m., according to New York Road Runners.

Route:

The route for the Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K features Uptown Manhattan's hilly terrain and natural beauty.

The starting line is located next to J. Hood Wright Park on West 173rd Street and Fort Washington Park. The course will take runners up Fort Washington Avenue and into Forty Tryon Park. After taking a loop around The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park, runners will head back down Fort Washington Avenue and cross the finish line at West 172nd Street.

The race course will be line with live musicians playing salsa, blues, Irish folk, gospel, merengue and jazz tunes.

Traffic closures:

The following streets will be closed down to vehicle traffic during the race, according to the city Department of Transportation:

Formation/Dispersal:

• Ft. Washington Avenue between 168th Street and 169th Street
• 169th Street between Haven Avenue and Broadway
• 170th Street between Haven Avenue and Ft. Washington Avenue
• 172nd Street between Broadway and Haven Avenue
• 176th Street between Ft. Washington Avenue and Broadway

Route:

• Ft. Washington Avenue between 169th Street and Cabrini Boulevard
• Margaret Corbin Boulevard between Cabrini Blvd and Loop (Inside Ft. Tryon Park)

Results:

Live race results can be found on liveresults.nyrr.org and the New York Road Runners app. The mobile app features leaderboards, map tracking and the ability to search for an individual runner. The top three men and women finishers in the Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K will receive awards.

Photo by Google Maps street view