Every September since 2009, running enthusiasts with stomachs of steel compete in the annual NYC Pizza Run, where they're asked to run two miles in Tompkins Square Park—eating three slices of pizza along the way. Shockingly, in all its history, nobody has ever vomited on the course. We're rooting for you, 2016.
On the surface, it sounds a simple enough task. Participants run four laps around the park and are handed slices from Midtown's Pizza by Certé at three intervals along the course. As it's a race, runners compete to be the fastest on the course—and not the one who loses their lunch at the finish line.
Last year, two new records were set by runners, including a new course record (14:14), faster than the previous year by 11 seconds, and a new women's record (14:52), beating out the previous holder by 48 seconds.
"I hear from returning participants every year that more and more people are training specifically for the event... going on practice runs and actually eating pizza during their run," founder Jason Feirman of the I Dream Of Pizza Blog told us. "With that type of dedication, I wouldn't be surprised if this is another record breaking year."
The friendly race unfolds on September 17th at 11 a.m. this year. Tickets are officially on sale as of today; they're $50 in August, $60 in September, and $90 as a combo with the NYC Cupcake Run on October 15th. Runners get an official NYC Pizza Run t-shirt, a race bib, three slices of pizza to be consumed during the race, a pizza gift bag, and a free drink at the NYC Pizza Run afterparty at Double Wide Bar & Southern Kitchen. As per usual, a portion of the proceeds benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International.
