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Armory Visitor's Guide - 2016 New Balance Nationals Indoor - DyeStat

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DyeStat.com   Mar 8th 2016, 9:43pm
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The Armory: A Visitor's Guide

 

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor


 

New Balance Nationals Indoor will light up the world's busiest indoor track for three days this weekend and bring hundreds of people -- if not thousands -- to The Armory for the first time. 

 

As the meet goes, the building will throb with energetic blur of motion and music and in the middle of it all will be a highly organized track and field meet. 

 

For the first-time visitor, it can be disorienting. 

 

Here is a primer for accessing what is officially The New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory with some additional tips for getting around the neighborhood, which is Washington Heights. 

 

First, a little bit of history

 

Track and field has taken place inside the drill shed of the 168th Street Armory in upper Manhattan for 102 years.

 

TileThe building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 and one of the reasons – among its many neo-classical architectural touches -- is the beautiful vaulted lobby constructed with Guastavino tile.

 

Throughout its history, The Armory has been a hub of activity in New York City’s indoor track scene. But only in the past 20 years or so has the building been revitalized to become one of the pillars of the sport nationally. There are about 100 track meets during the season, sometimes two or three a day during the busiest weekends of the winter.  On days with no meet, there is usually a practice session going on. 

 

Dr.  Norbert Sander rescued the crumbling building in the early 1990s and restored it to its track and field roots. Sander, who is the only New York resident to win the New York City Marathon, ran at The Armory in high school for Fordham Prep. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders ran in meets here as well -- when the wooden, splintered track was 11 laps to the mile.

Floor 

 

Getting Around

 

Upon entering the lobby, you will be directed to check in. That's located to the left, in the "Millrose Room." Backpack pickup is also on this floor.

 

Going up the stairs, the second floor has a couple of key features. Two men's bathrooms and one women's bathroom are located along the south side (168th St) hallway. There are two hallways on the second floor that serve as warm-up areas, connected by a passageway in between. New Balance sets up a temporary store on the second floor, in the "Marathon Room."

 

The track is on the third floor. This is also where two additional women's bathrooms are located. And the Victory Lane concession stand is here as well. At certain times of the weekend, this area will get very crowded. It's also where the DJ sets up and impromptu dance parties happen. 

 

To find a seat, go to the fourth floor. There are vending machines up there as well as another concession stand.

 

Plaque

 

Warming Up

 

The two hallways on the second floor are available, although they can get choked up with traffic. But this is where athletes stretch, jog or run strides prior to competition. Always pay attention in the hallways because someone is usually trying to sprint in the gray lanes. Many athletes choose to go outside and run around the block, especially the distance runners. It's a long block, about half a mile around, and it's convenient. It can get congested, however. 

 

A better place to run is the block to the north of the Armory. The sidewalk on 170th is wider and has fewer hazards. 

 

For longer runs, go up Fort Washington to the 181st. Or jog past the hospital to 165th and go down to Riverside Drive. 

 

Connecting with History

 

Take a moment to soak in the history of the sport. The staircases are lined with records that have been set at The Armory and New Balance Nationals is one of the meets that always seems to produce new records. Two display cases on the third floor show off some of the USATF Hall of Fame artifacts in The Armory's collection. These items include an Oregon jersey worn by the late Steve Prefontaine, a Tigerbelles top worm by Wilma Rudolph and Rafer Johnson’s 1960 Olympic Games warmup jacket. The Armory records board is typically a popular spot to take photos. 

 

Record board

 

 

Getting To The Armory 

 

If you are staying in Manhattan, the subway stop at 168th street is as convenient as it gets. The 1 train is the "local" and makes more stops than the A train, which is "express." The good news is that they both stop at 168th and the entrance to The Armory is only a block away. Many people stay across the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey and use buses, vans or cars to go back and forth.

 

Eating Out

 

Food from outside is not allowed in the building. So the concession stands are the first option at the meet. If you want to go out and eat somewhere else, there are lots of choices within a couple of blocks of The Armory. 

 

There are food carts out on the sidewalk for things like coffee, bagels, muffins, hot dogs, etc. 

 

There is a new Subway on the corner of 169th and Fort Washington. But the best sandwiches in the neighborhood are at Tasty Deli over on Broadway at 169th. There are dozens of options and they are all amazing. 

 

If you want pizza, there are several options. Koronet between 172nd and 173rd on Broadway has slices that are as big as your head for $3. It's probably the best food value in the entire city. Como's pizza is also good and it's tucked in between 169th and 170th. Across Broadway is La Famigilia, which is in a new spot and it's a major upgrade from last year. 

 

If you want a post-meet sit-down place, Coogan's on Broadway is something every track fan should see. It's a landmark and it's a track and field shrine. And at night on the weekends, there is karaoke. 

 

The Thai place on 169th, Tung Thong, is very good but it's small and there aren't many tables. Jade Garden, the Chinese place around the corner, has also upgraded since last year and is very reliable. 

 

For barbecue, head down Broadway two blocks to Dallas BBQ (east side of the street).

 

MaleconWashington Heights is a Dominican neighborhood. There are many businesses in the neighborhood where Spanish is spoken first and foremost. If you want an authentic food experience, head up Broadway to 175th to find Malecon. You'll see the rotisserie chickens rotating in the window. Portions are huge here and the food is amazing. 

 

Health food snacks are available between 170th and 171st at Cherry Tree and you can also get really good salads and smoothies there.

 

Time To Kill

 

If you are looking to do a little bit of sightseeing during your stay in Washington Heights, check out The Cloisters, which is part of the Metropolitan Muesum of Art. The museum houses a collection of art, architecture and artifacts from medieval Europe. It is located in Fort Tryon Park a few bus stops north of The Armory. 

 

ATM Machines

 

If you need to access your bank, there are a couple of nearby ATM machines. There is a Citi Bank ATM inside the hospital doors on 168th street near the intersection with Fort Washington Ave. And there is an BoA ATM machine at the entrance to Starbucks at 168th/Broadway.



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