In Greenpoint, NYC: The Longest Pastry Table Serves Marathon Runners a Free Carb Feast

The weekend before the NYC Marathon, Greenpoint hosts The Longest Pastry Table, a communal meal for runners along Driggs Avenue beside McCarren Park. It runs Saturday, October 24, from noon to 2pm, on Driggs Ave between N 12th Street and Lorimer Street.

The hosts are Pastry Runners NYC, the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance and the North Brooklyn Open Streets Community Coalition. The idea is to bring run clubs and individual runners from all five boroughs to one long table and start taper week together. The format follows the Longest Table model, which began in 2022 and has since spread to communities across the country.

Admission is free, and the meal is a potluck. Guests bring a carb to share, whether it comes from their own kitchen or a favorite bakery, and are asked to label anything containing common allergens. Local bakeries are contributing to the spread, and tables of donated food will carry allergen information. Because potluck dishes come from many kitchens, attendees should use their own judgment.

Seating is open and first come, first served. Clubs can sit together, and anyone without a club can choose "No club" on the RSVP form; greeters will point arrivals to open seats. Friends need to RSVP separately. Space on the street is limited, so an RSVP is needed to hold a seat.

The event goes ahead rain or shine, with organizers making a weather call on the day. Volunteers are wanted for check-in, greeting, setup, cleanup and photo or video, and table captains, who need not belong to a run club, help gather guests and tidy their tables. Bakeries and businesses that want to take part can write to hello@pastryrunners.com.