Fort Lee Historic Park 5K

National Dance Institute

presents

Runs & Leaps Extravaganza!

JULY 28, 2026

On the occasion of National Dance Institute's (NDI) Founder Jacques d'Amboise's birthday, and in celebration of the organization’s 50th Anniversary, come dance with us to show your support for the importance the arts plays in all our lives. Following the success of the 2025 event, in Jackie Robinson Park in 2025, we're thrilled to expand this Runs and Leaps Extravaganza, to Central Park’s Naumburg Bandshell – just a “run and leap” from the Delacorte Theatre, home to many past NDI performances.

Under the Artistic Direction of Kay Gayner and Chirstopher d'Amboise, NDI Teaching Artists will guide current dancers, alumni, supporters, and friends of NDI as they "run and leap" across this iconic New York City site. Participants close the event with a short performance of an excerpt from a well-loved piece of NDI's repertoire - all accompanied by NDI's live band under the Music Direction of Yakir Ben Hur.

Reunite with your fellow alumni, meet the new generation of NDI dancers, and launch us into the next 50 years.

No experience is required - you'll learn everything you need to know in a short rehearsal upon arrival!

Participation is limited - register yourself or a team today!

Event details and schedule

Here's what you need to know:

Event will occur rain or shine.

Where: Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park NYC

When: Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Schedule:

9:00 AM Participant Check In & Team Meet-Up

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Event Rehearsal

11:30 AM Break

11:45 AM Places for the Show!

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Run & Leap Extravaganza Performance

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Alumni Dance Mash-Up!

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM Mingle & Depart

How to get there:

From the East side:

East 72nd Street & 5th Avenue

Subways: N,Q,R to 72nd Street / 4, 5, 6 to 68th Street

Bus: M 72 /Lexington & East 72nd Street

From the West Side

West 72nd Street and Central Park West

Subway: C, B to West 72nd Street / 1, 2, 3 to West 72nd Street

Bus: M 10 / Central Park West & West 72nd Street

What to bring:

Please bring as only what you can carry in your pockets as there will be no facilities to check person items. NDI is not responsible for lost or stolen items, expecially those left unattended.

What to wear:

Please come wearing your NDI Runs & Leaps t-shirt which will be mailed to you upon registration. Dress for the weather and wear sneakers or other secure athletic footwear. No sandals.

How to Participate:

Register as a team or an individual and join NDI Alums, Dancers, Friends, Staff and Supporters. Upon registration you will receive access to the Event site and receive email communications with all the information you need to successfully participate in this event.

All participants will be asked to sign liability and media waivers.

Participants under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult parent, guardian, or chaperone.

Individuals:

Individuals who register will be assigned to a team. You may decide to create or join a team even if your initial registration is as an individual participant.

Teams:

If you'd like to create a team (maximum 8 members) you may do so and register others at the time of your regitration, or invite others to join later.

The pulse of the running world can be felt in Central Park where you and hundreds of athletes from around the world will compete. To race in Central Park is breathtaking not only because of the great course but also because of what this place means to runners from all over the world. This is the largest and most important public backyard (park) in NYC with 843 acres of trees, meadows, paths, and attractions. It’s always beautiful and in the middle of the summer, it’s the place to be. The course is perfect for you, marked at every mile and turn, supported with water stations that have ice cold water and Gatorade. Join us afterward for a fun awards ceremony, NYC’s best bagels!

Traversing beautiful viewpoints along the Hudson River from New Jersey to New York and back again the Interstate 17 Trail Run delivers amazing scenery as it tests your physical prowess.

You will run four times on a four mile loop of rugged technical trails after a mile out and back on a closed road to separate the field of runners for safety. You will complete three counterclockwise loops followed by a final loop clockwise. You must check in at the beginning/end of each loop to have your time card punched.

Founded in 2017. This is NOT your average trail race. This trail is meant to test your strength and endurance. Seventeen miles with over 5000 ft. of elevation change, if you're not extremely careful there are many places where you can fall to your death or serious injury. No awards or medals. Race at your own risk.

Course Description

Mile 0-1: from the start/finish out and back on road

Mile 1-2: heading south along a semi technical rock strewn dirt trail which leads to a steep long descent on rocky uneven jagged stairs and switchbacks. Once you reach the bottom you'll head north on smooth dirt trail along the river with beautiful views

Mile 2-3: a boulder filled rock scramble where you'll need to use your hands to navigate at certain points ends with a singletrack dirt trail with short yet steep ascents and descents along the river

Mile 3-4: singletrack dirt path takes you directly back into another rock scramble, however this portion is much more runnable, ending directly on the shore of the river

Mile 4-5: as you continue along the rocky shore trail you'll encounter the beautiful waterfall signaling your time to ascend the cliff using various switchbacks and staircases. Once you reach the top it's a short trip south through wide cross country skiing trails back to the checkpoint/aid station at the start/finish area

Miles 5-9 & 9-13 repeat miles 1-5. Last loop miles 13-17 you'll reverse your path.

Aid Station

Mile 1, 5, 9, & 13 Fully stocked with water, sports drink, soda, candies, oranges, chips, pretzels and more! Feel free to leave your own personal supply stash, it will be safe and easy to access each loop.

*Due to distance between aid we highly recommend carrying your own hydration supply (handhelds may be cumbersome at times you may require both hands free)

Email with complete information will be sent a week prior to event date to all registered runners, plz check your junk folder or send us a message if you can’t locate it.

More Races: https://linktr.ee/foresttrailstriders

Race Start Time and Location:

On August 23, we are back the second time at the world’s most iconic city parks, Central Park, for our 41st annual New York City Duathlon. The park is always gorgeous this time of year with trees and flowers in full summer bloom!

Here is what you can expect on race day. At 7:00 am the race will start by the Central Park Boat House parking lot which will also serve as your Transition area. Both Run #1 and #2 are 2.2 miles each, an out/back format. You’ll run along the east side and making a turn around point by the 96th street Margret L Kempner Playground (right after the crosswalk). No significant elevation gain other than at the beginning you have to run up Cat Hill.

The bike route consists of riding 2 loops around the entire Central Park drive. You are to ride the entire Central Park Drive, all 6 miles, and including the Harlem Hill. Total of 12 miles. The total elevation gain is about 300 ft per loop. The park is still open to the public and be mindful of other park users.

Remember to read our Race FAQs if you haven’t done so.

New York City Duathlon distance:

Run distance is 2.2 miles.

Bike distance is 12 miles (2 loops).

Run distance is 2.2 miles.

Volunteers:

You are needed from 4:30 am to 11 am. Our races start at 7:00 am unless stated the otherwise. Once you arrived, report to our Race Director Victor. He will go over your race duty as well as where you need to be. Don’t leave until the race is finished. You have to sign out to earn your race credit for your next race.

The New York City Duathlon is not USAT certified or sanctioned. USAT racing license isn’t required to compete in our race.

The 9/11 Heroes Run 5K welcomes runners, ruckers, and walkers of all ages and fitness levels to honor the heroes of 9/11 and those who've served our nations since. We activate & unite communities and empower local veterans, active duty, first responders, and families of the fallen.

TMF is proud to partner with GORUCK again with rucking divisions at every run. Rucking is a sport based on special forces training in which participants walk or run while carrying weighted rucksacks. All participants registered for the GORUCK division will earn this year's exclusive TMF GORUCK patch. Learn more about GORUCK here.