Urban Gardner

This Event Is for the Spartans

Jan. 22, 2013 10:15 p.m. ET

There are occasions, though admittedly rare, when I pine for the Times Square of old, when it was the preserve of pimps and prostitutes and X-rated movie houses. This typically happens when I'm trapped in a stagnant mob of tourists who are rubbernecking at some stunt or spectacle, usually having to do with TV cameras, screaming teens and product tie-ins.

So it seemed business as usual Thursday afternoon when I spotted an obstacle course set up under a large tent in the middle of Times Square. It was promoting the Spartan...

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