New York Marathons for couch potatoes
By Ron Bishow
Special to amNewYork
About 37,000 people will tie up their laces to conquer the New York City Marathon on Sunday. But if you’re someone who finds it off-putting to travel 26 miles in anything other than a car, you’re still in luck. There are plenty of ways to create your own marathon this month, and, thankfully, none of them have anything to do with grabbing a cup of water while taking your own pulse.
Meat marathon
Porcao Churrascaria
360 Park Ave. South at 26th Street, 212-252-7080
Daily, $35.90, lunch; $50.90, dinner
Why work up an appetite running when you can just sit and eat? Brazilian restaurant Porcao Churrascaria offers an all-you-can-eat meat-fest with 18 different types. Unlimited rib-eye, dry pork loin, flank steak, charred sausage and bacon-wrapped turkey is all yours for $35.90 for lunch or $50.90 for dinner.
More after the jump.
Theater marathon
The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway
Nov. 17, 8 p.m.
American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St. at Seventh Avenue, 212-868-4444, $185 to $200
Theater productions are usually rehearsed for weeks before opening, but The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway breaks that mold. After just 12 hours of writing and rehearsing, six new plays are performed for a live audience. Writers begin the process at night on Nov. 16, finishing by 7 a.m. on Nov. 17, so the actors can prep to perform at 8 p.m. that evening. This year’s team includes David Cross, Julianna Margulies, Cynthia Nixon and Liev Schreiber.
Computer marathon
Apple Store
767 Fifth Ave., between 58th and 59th streets, 212-336-1440, Daily
Fifth Avenue’s underground Apple store is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Make a game of your Mac-centric day by playing with every computer and iPod in the place, and asking every employee what he thinks of Justin Long’s portrayal of “Mac” in the computer commercials.
Singing marathon
Duet Karaoke
53 W. 35th St., suite 2-F, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 646-473-0826
Fridays, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. , $12
Most people think they sing better then they actually do, so you shouldn’t be too bothered by listening to yourself belt out tunes for six hours. Choose songs alphabetically or by genre, but don’t try too many Celine Dion songs or you might blow out your vocal chords.
Sightseeing marathon
City Sights
212-812-2700, www.citysightsny.com
Daily, $49
Running the marathon allows for a giant tour of New York City, winding through all five boroughs and passing over five bridges. But you can see the Big Apple in all its glory without even standing up. The All Around Town Tourtakes you to more than 50 stops in Manhattan and Brooklyn on a double-decker bus. The trip also includes a Circle Line Harbor Cruise. The pass is valid for 48 hours, so you can take your time and jump on and off if you really feel like standing.
Drinking marathon
Halloween Hangover Pub Crawl
64 Third Ave. at 11th Street, 212-979-2337
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, $20, one-day pass; $30, three-day pass (pourhousenyc.com)
A bar crawl is like a marathon (using your legs to move through the city), except this way you get to stop every few miles and erase all that walking with an intoxicating spirit or two. The Halloween Hangover Pub Crawl starts at the Village Pourhouse and ends there at midnight, hitting dozens of bars along the way. A ticket gets you $2 Bud Lights and 2-for-1 Pumpkin ales and Halloween cocktails.
Work-out marathon
24 Hour Fitness
225 Fifth Ave. at 26th Street, 212-271-1002 , Daily, Free seven-day pass
If running isn’t for you but you still want to be active, try out the new health club 24 Hour Fitness, which is open all day, every day. Ride a stationery bike, hit the stair climber, lift weights or take a group fitness class. Visit 24hourfitness.com for a free seven-day pass.
Bowling marathon
Bowlmor Lanes
110 University Pl., between 12th and 13th streets, 212-255-8188
Mondays, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., $24
Have you ever wondered how many games of bowling you can roll in four hours? Find out at Bowlmor Lanes on Monday evenings, when you can bowl from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for $24. The drink specials and live DJ might throw your game off, but real troupers will stick it out.
