Seniors to race a lit torch through the streets of Brooklyn

‘Awesome’ kickoff to NYC Parks Brooklyn Senior Games

May 5, 2017 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Seniors will run a lit torch through the streets of Brooklyn in a two-day relay to kick off the second annual NYC Parks Brooklyn Senior Games. Shown: Relay runners from last year’s Senior Games torch relay. Photo by Malcolm Pinckney/NYC Parks

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Spectators will have the chance to root for senior runners relaying a lit torch across Brooklyn on Monday and Tuesday at a dozen “cheer stations” set up at Parks Department recreation centers across the borough. Runners will pass the torch to fellow runners at each cheer station.

The two-day torch relay kicks off the second annual NYC Parks Brooklyn Senior Games.

“This event is awesome!” Parks Department spokeswoman Maeri Ferguson told the Brooklyn Eagle. “We had a big turnout last year for the first one, and we expect it to be even bigger this year.”

Early birds can catch the start of the relay at the McCarren Park recreation center in Greenpoint at 7:15 a.m. Monday.

Runners will carry the burning torch along Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg Street West, Flushing Avenue, and Navy, Tillary and Court streets, arriving at Brooklyn Borough Hall at around 8:15 a.m.

There they will be greeted by event sponsors Borough President Eric Adams and state Senators Jesse Hamilton and Diane Savino, who will join Parks for an official torch passing ceremony. The relay then continues to the finish line at Fort Hamilton Senior Recreation Center.

On Tuesday, the relay continues from Bay Ridge to Brownsville by way of Prospect Park and Crown Heights.

The relay’s finale and opening ceremony will officially kick off the Senior Games with a traditional cauldron lighting, program and refreshments at the Brownsville Recreation Center.

Senior Games participants will compete in events including basketball, bowling, pickleball, swimming, shuffleboard, table tennis and board games, from May 9 to 12 at Brownsville Recreation Center, Ocean Breeze Track and Field Athletic Complex and Funfest Family Entertainment.

For more information, visit www.nycgovparks.org/events/brooklyn-senior-games