5K To Bring 'Salsa, Blues And Shamrocks' To Washington Heights

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A road race complete with "salsa, blues and shamrocks" will close down several blocks in Washington Heights this weekend as racers and music populate the streets. Here's what you need to know whether you're racing, watching or just finding a new spot to park.

The "Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K," led by New York Road Runners on March 1, is named for the diverse varieties of music it will bring to the streets while runners make their way through the course.

Musical groups including salsa, blues, Irish folk music, gospel, merengue and jazz will serenade racers as they make their way through the hilly race route, according to the Road Runners' website.

The course begins at West 173rd Street and heads north on Fort Washington Avenue. It will then snake through Fort Tyron Park before heading back south down Fort Washington Avenue.

Several blocks will be closed for parking the day before the race as organizers prepare the course and then shut down to traffic the day of the race, according to a parking and traffic advisory shared by Community Board 12.

Here's what you should know:

When: March 1 starting at 9 a.m.

What: "Upper Manhattan's diverse and picturesque Washington Heights neighborhood provides the backdrop for this 5K. On a hilly course that circles Fort Tryon Park and the historic Cloisters, runners are serenaded by musical groups playing—you guessed it—salsa, blues, and Irish folk music, plus gospel, merengue, and jazz," according to the race website. Awards will be available to the top three men and women overall, as well as in age and gender groups. More details can be found here.

Where: A map of the course can be found here. Parking and traffic information below:

• NO PARKING- FEBRUARY 29, 2020, 10 p.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Fort Washington Ave. between 168th St. and 175th St.
  • 169th St. between Haven Ave. and Broadway
  • 170th St. between Ft. Washington Ave. and Haven Ave.
  • 172nd St. between Haven Ave. and Broadway

• NO TRAFFIC- MARCH 1ST, 2020
  • 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Ft. Washington Ave. between 168th St. and 175th St.
  • 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Fort Washington Ave. between 175th St. and Ft. Tryon Park