The Prototype Race

Orchard Street Runners

The blueprint for the future of Unsanctioned Racing.

Manhattanville

The Prototype Race is a live test of a new racing format. This event lays the foundation for next year’s NYC Unsanctioned Championship Race, scheduled for the night before the 2026 New York City Marathon. That championship will follow a three-race summer series launching in 2026. Athletes who compete in the series will accumulate points and earn seeding (the championship race will also remain open to any/all runners who wish to compete the night of). The purpose of the Prototype is to test the race structure, timing, and athlete experience ahead of the 2026 launch. It is a standalone event, but it directly informs what comes next.This is a street race. There will be electronic timing and scoring but there is no set course, no venue, no medals, and no frills. It has a start line, a mobile bag check, a sequence of checkpoints, a finish line, and $500 for first place in each field.Where the Bread Route connects to family history, the Prototype looks forward, toward the future of urban racing. It is designed to capture the scale, intensity, and spectacle of New York on marathon weekend. Athletes will plan their own course, face split-second decisions, unpredictable terrain, and +-13 miles of unforgiving city streets. It’s a trial by fire for runners ready to race without a safety net.What is a Checkpoint-Driven Race Unlike a traditional road race with a single marked course, a checkpoint-driven race requires athletes to hit multiple mandatory checkpoints in sequence. The route between checkpoints is unmarked and must be designed by the athlete and then navigated in real time. Athletes must plan and execute their own routes and strategy, choosing whether to take the fastest line, avoid intersections, or gamble on longer routes with smoother flow.Additional information will be provided to registered athletes later this month. The course requirements (checkpoint locations and sequence) will be emailed to registered athletes about a week out from Race Day.This format demands more than speed. It tests urban awareness, route planning, navigation, decision-making, and the ability to adapt under pressure. Timing will accomodate up to a 10-minutes-per-mile pace for an efficiently planned route.Event InformationRace Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Race Distance: +-13 miles Race Format: Checkpoint Sequence Athlete Check-In: 7:00 PM – 7:55 PM Mandatory Startline Briefing: 7:57 PMRace Start Time: 8:00 PM Event Ends: Approximately 10:30 PM Race HQ: None Start Location: TBA Finish Location: TBAPrize Money: $500 for 1st place in each field (Men, Women, Non-Binary)The unmarked course will take athletes through city streets, bridges, parks, and landmarks at night. This event is intended only for the most adventurous runners. OSR reserves the right to deny entry at its discretion.Race is on rain or shine. No personal bike escorts allowed. There are no transfers or refunds. This is a one-of-a-kind OSR racing experience that cannot be replicated. All information is subject to change. Runners are responsible for their own safety and should only register if this is within your comfort zone.

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The Prototype Race

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The Prototype Race

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