A serene spot in the Bronx: Van Cortlandt Park

Looking out to the edge of the park from some spots, you can see tall apartment buildings.

Famed athletes who've competed here include Alberto Salazar, Alan Webb, Edward Cheserek, Marty Liquori, Shalane Flanagan and Matt Centrowitz, who won the gold at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the 1,500-meter race.

The courses are the same as in my heyday, with flats, a cowpath, a bridge and back hill loop, as well as Cemetery Hill (also known as Vault Hill), which is part of a route used for college races.

The Van Cortlandt Park Track Club sometimes gives winners carrot cake muffins from Lloyd's Carrot Cake shop (6087 Broadway in the Bronx), across from the start/finish line.