NYRR RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon
Brooklyn, NY
- Half Marathon
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Experience a 13.1-mile journey through the best of Brooklyn, from Prospect Park to the iconic Coney Island boardwalk, at the RBC Brooklyn Half this May. The excitement begins with epic waterfront views at the RBC Brooklyn Half Pre-Party presented by New Balance and continues with post-race celebrations at the RBC … MORE
Local Historical Weather (May 17):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 81 | 70 | 71 | 77 | 76 |
| L (°F) | 63 | 58 | 53 | 58 | 57 |
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Hot as hell but very well organized
I got in unexpectedly through the lottery for this so my expectations were low; do not expect this to be your PR race! It's a very fun, very well organized, … MORE
I got in unexpectedly through the lottery for this so my expectations were low; do not expect this to be your PR race! It’s a very fun, very well organized, MASSIVE half marathon. I felt all of the logistics were fantastic and clear for how large this race is, and considering it was 100% humidity outside, water/Gatorade every mile plus misters and ice towels at the finish were extremely well planned. The race swag highlights were Maurten gels and solids as they’re a sponsor, otherwise nothing super exciting. The hills in Prospect Park are long grinds, but you can make up plenty of time on downhill Ocean Parkway afterward-people complain about that stretch being boring but I thought there were tons of supporters and run clubs out to make it fun, plus it was interesting to run through some of the large Orthodox communities on the Sabbath! The only real bummer of this race is the heat. I had to help someone to the med tent and saw many people in various stages of collapse along the route (someone even died of cardiac arrest). I know a race in May is always going to struggle with this as a variable, and NYRR does a lot to mitigate, but it was still disheartening to realize around mile 5 I was going to be so far off my pace goal just trying to manage with the heat. Chill on Coney Island and grab some food after and the post race subway crowds clear out after about an hour!
Most of the course is along a highway
Would not recommend if you want to "see" Brooklyn. The park portion in the beginning is great, but the part along Ocean Parkway is a bore and gets to be … MORE
Would not recommend if you want to “see” Brooklyn. The park portion in the beginning is great, but the part along Ocean Parkway is a bore and gets to be a slog by the end of the race. Even finishing at Coney Island doesn’t save it.
Run to coney island
This is well run. The worst part is getting on the train afterwards to get back to manhattan. Running on the highway was only boring for a few miles and … MORE
This is well run. The worst part is getting on the train afterwards to get back to manhattan. Running on the highway was only boring for a few miles and then you get to see the neighborhoods and lots of fun crowds
BK brings the party!
The crowd support for this race is second to none. DJs and various running clubs brought so much energy! NYRR production was top notch as usual. My complaint is the … MORE
The crowd support for this race is second to none. DJs and various running clubs brought so much energy! NYRR production was top notch as usual.
My complaint is the 3-4 miles on Ocean Ave. I’ll rather run along the water or other more scenic portions or Brooklyn. This might be my last time running THIS Brooklyn Half. I’m considering staying local with the Marine Corps Historic Half or running NYC Runs Brooklyn Half instead.
The other issue with this run is getting off Coney Island via rideshares. Two years straight of multiple canceled rides that almost had me miss my late checkout at my hotel. Maybe if I run this again, I’ll stay the extra day to enjoy the post race festivities and beer.
Huge Event with Silky Smooth Logistics
This is a huge event, but it's really well organized. You wouldn't think it was one of the largest in the world. As long as you show up early, the … MORE
This is a huge event, but it’s really well organized. You wouldn’t think it was one of the largest in the world.
As long as you show up early, the logistics of getting in are great. I got to the security line shortly after 6, and I only waited a minute or two to get in. I was able to use the bathroom and get in my corral without an issue.
You will have problems, though, if you show up last minute.
The course is difficult, but if you approach it the right way you can absolutely run a great time. The hills in Prospect Park are tough, but they aren’t so steep that they’ll kill you. Just take it easy, and you can cruise down Ocean Parkway towards Coney Island.
The vibe is amazing. Everyone is so happy and supportive. Lots of crowds and cheering spectators. Friendly volunteers. If you don’t have a good time here, it’s your own fault.
The pre-race party and expo were great. Of all the races I’ve run, I’ve had the most fun at this expo. Definitely take advantage of the entertainment and plan to hang out for a bit.
Be aware that the weather in mid-May can be rough. There’s no way around it, and you know what you’re signing up for. So hope for the best, and manage your expectations if it turns out warm on race day.
A Brooklyn (Almost) Grand Tour
What I liked: This iconic course brings you through as many neighborhoods as one could fit into a 13.1 mile race. Prospect Park is easy enough to get to (see … MORE
What I liked: This iconic course brings you through as many neighborhoods as one could fit into a 13.1 mile race. Prospect Park is easy enough to get to (see my notes below), the tougher parts are at the start, and a run down Ocean Parkway leads you to Coney Island! The expo was a pleasant experience, making this feel like a much bigger and more serious event than other half marathons NYRR produces. Bib pickup, swag pickup, New Balance shop, and other vendors were present in addition to a party atmosphere. It truly felt like a race and destination at which you *have* to be. Post-race, the chute and bag pickup were excellent. Meeting family on the baseball field was cushy! Even though it rained, there was some shelter in the stands.
What could have been better: Not a race problem per se, just be advised getting to the start may be a bit tricky so give yourself extra time. For example, many of the streets leading up to the corrals are blocked off, so if you Uber/Lyft you might have to walk a bit. Bag dropoff is a breeze, yet the two years I’ve run this there was a line to do so. The course itself is moderately difficult, Prospect Park as *that* hill in its northeast corner. Yet, the rest of the course is somewhat flat to lightly rolling. Post-race, the brewery afterparty is not worth the wait and crowds to get in. Skip that altogether, chill in the baseball field.
A Rainy Day couldn't spoil this event
Rain rain go away…despite the weather I enjoyed the event and NYRR put on another first class run. The crowd support was crazy and featured every genre of music. The … MORE
Rain rain go away…despite the weather I enjoyed the event and NYRR put on another first class run. The crowd support was crazy and featured every genre of music. The hills everyone talked about in Prospect Park was nothing compared to the Hood Hills I run and Rosaryville State Park in Maryland.
Running wise, I felt great and finally figured out my mid-run fueling. I maintained my training pace and clipped more time off from my last Half. I doubt I’ll ever get near my 2:12PR from over 10yrs ago but we can all dream.
Due to the rain, I left and didn’t partake in the post-race festivities.
Great Race
Beautiful scenery and awesome crown support. The pre race party the day before was amazing as well. Did not see many pacers but sure they were there. Overall I would … MORE
Beautiful scenery and awesome crown support. The pre race party the day before was amazing as well. Did not see many pacers but sure they were there. Overall I would highly recommend
Run Brooklyn!
A new addition to my list of favorite half marathons! Having run the NYC Marathon and NY Half I figured I had to add check this one off my list … MORE
A new addition to my list of favorite half marathons! Having run the NYC Marathon and NY Half I figured I had to add check this one off my list and so happy I got in via lottery and made my way to NY to run the NYRR RBC Brooklyn Half! Well organized, the race starts next to the museum and takes you up and around Prospect Park (about first 6 miles) before you make your way down the road to Coney Island. The finish felt a bit chaotic, wasn’t sure if there was any organized finish area or any signage to guide us but it rained so I’m sure that impacted what they had planned (not anything within the organizers control) still despite the rain I had a BLAST and would definitely recommend this one.
Shirt – eh, I’d give it a 7 out of 10 (personal style) medal – I love any medal I earned!
Expo, beautiful location especially for those of us traveling out of the area (view of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Skyline) and though I was too tried from travel to join the fun they had food trucks, etc. out there to create a party atmosphere.
Pretty Good Event as a Whole
The packet pickup and Expo were great. It was held on a pier 2 , across from the city. It ran very smooth. There was plenty of information given on … MORE
The packet pickup and Expo were great. It was held on a pier 2 , across from the city. It ran very smooth. There was plenty of information given on transport to the race and race day instructions. The first part of the course was rolling hills up until mile 7, then slight down hill to the end. Post- race party was great. My only cons were the thin race shirts and medal design. The ribbon was nice, though.
Huge race!!
Cool expo with lots of photo ops and yard games- but sort if a pain to get to depending on where you’re staying. I underestimated the size of the race … MORE
Cool expo with lots of photo ops and yard games- but sort if a pain to get to depending on where you’re staying. I underestimated the size of the race and how long it would take me to get to and through security after getting off the subway (pay attention to which stops are closed!). There are plenty of portable toilets, but there will be lines so give yourself adequate time. Couldn’t make it to my corral in time so got stuck running slower than I normally would for several miles with no way to make it through the pack on the course as it is a huge rece. The fog was thick with hot humid air that morning so couldn’t really see beyond the street even down on Coney Island 🙁. I’m sure it’s cooler when you can see around. There are lots of people so if you like cheering- you’ll appreciate that aspect. I appreciated the wet towels at the finish and glad I finished early as it got hit as soon as it all burned off and the sun came out.
Big Time Race
Brooklyn is a fun place to go to a race. This is a great race put on by a very professional group (NYRR) and has a fun finish at Coney … MORE
Brooklyn is a fun place to go to a race. This is a great race put on by a very professional group (NYRR) and has a fun finish at Coney Island. I have several tips and notes:
– take the subway to and from the face. It’s easy to navigate and puts you right at the start and finish.
– the getting through security and into the start area is a pain in the a$$. Leave enough time to do that. And walk down past the initial port-a-potties for more options and less people.
– It can be hot and humid and the race course is not flat.
– Coney Island opens later in the day so plan on waiting around a few hours after the race if you want to check it out.
Beautiful first half, Fun Finish
This is a huge and very well organized race. I was really impressed by the preparation that went into this and the communication from the organizers was great. I ran … MORE
This is a huge and very well organized race. I was really impressed by the preparation that went into this and the communication from the organizers was great. I ran this race in Wave 2 and by the time I got to the second half the sun was blaring with 100% humidity. There is very sparse tree cover on the second half of the course and the concrete you’re running on reflects all that heat making you feel even hotter. I am not surprised I saw a lot of people showing signs of heat stroke at the finish. Amenities and volunteers were great despite this. I wanted to be covered in those ice towels. I would run again but definitely if the conditions are like this I don’t expect that my PR is going to be even close to what I trained for. Those last three miles I was just really focused on finishing without passing out.
Great time, weather can be anything
So this was the first Brooklyn Half since 2019 and this year's even was a humid foggy affair. Of the 18,000 or so finishers there are two waves and I … MORE
So this was the first Brooklyn Half since 2019 and this year’s even was a humid foggy affair. Of the 18,000 or so finishers there are two waves and I was in Wave 1. There was extra water available at the start and everyone tried to prepare for unexpected heat early in the season. This was by far the largest race I’ve participated in and my plan of following the pacer for one corral slower than “goal” and speeding up when I left Prospect Park didn’t happen. The sea of humanity that surged forth at the start meant I didn’t see the pacer until after the finish (behind me thankfully). As I’m sure other reviews have said, the race really has two parts. The first is through Prospect Park and beautiful. Other than Battle Pass Hill at about Miles 5-6. It’s noticeable and it’ll slow everyone down. The second half is on the flat, slightly downhill highway to Coney Island. In theory this is fast, but with the heat and the sun coming out I faded a bit between miles 11 and 12 coming in about 20 seconds behind my PR time. It’s also boring and feels like a grind until you get close to the boardwalk. Still I had a lot of fun with this. If you race this and you end up in Wave 2 (which for this year was roughly a finish time over 2 hours), you may want to consider bringing a handheld water bottle for after the park. If it’s hot, the volunteers generating water cups can’t always keep up with demand later on. I would absolutely run this race again.
Worth the hype
Ah, Brooklyn. It was tough to get in (refresh the registration page and give NYRR all your money before it sells out) and a challenge to get to on the … MORE
Ah, Brooklyn. It was tough to get in (refresh the registration page and give NYRR all your money before it sells out) and a challenge to get to on the subway from Manhattan to get there in time with the massive crowds (crowds! remember them?), but it was beautiful. Prospect Park’s hills weren’t too bad and the long straight stretch for miles in the later part of the race took some focus, but you were in good company the whole way. When you hit that boardwalk, the fun begins and there were plenty of Coney Island establishments to celebrate in. I hope this race, and all events, can come back strong when we are done with the pandemic. Put Brooklyn on your bucket list!
Nice race, ends at the beach!
I got into the Popular Brooklyn Half by virtue of the NYRR Virtual 6 program. Race starts in Prospect Park with some rolling hills before a nice straight path to … MORE
I got into the Popular Brooklyn Half by virtue of the NYRR Virtual 6 program. Race starts in Prospect Park with some rolling hills before a nice straight path to Coney Island. The finish goes up a ramp to the Board Walk. Unfortunately I didn’t get to celebrate with a Nathan’s Hot Dog – the line was crazy long.
Run alongside 25000 runners
After multiple local races, I signed up for this race with the hope of hitting my goal of sub-2 HM (Thanks Strava). With 25000 runners and non-stop rain, it was … MORE
After multiple local races, I signed up for this race with the hope of hitting my goal of sub-2 HM (Thanks Strava). With 25000 runners and non-stop rain, it was a challenge to navigate through the pre-race area after a 1 hr subway ride from Manhattan. But kudos to the NYRR and other volunteers for making it as smooth as possible. It is ofcourse a very popular race and a very easy one if you are aiming for a PR.
A Great Race- even in a monsoon...
The Brooklyn Half touts itself as the largest half marathon in the world- and it would not surprise me that this is true! The course, while not super easy at … MORE
The Brooklyn Half touts itself as the largest half marathon in the world- and it would not surprise me that this is true! The course, while not super easy at the beginning due to the hills in Prospect Park (and then followed by monotonous miles on Ocean Parkway) is still one of my favorite races of the year. This year it POURED, and crowd support was still amazing, and you cannot beat finishing on the Coney Island boardwalk. I am hoping for a rain-free race next year, but I will be back regardless.
A Great Race- but not a great day for me
The NYRR Brooklyn Half is a great race- after you leave Prospect Park, it is predominantly flat and cruises to a fun finish on the Coney Island boardwalk. However, since … MORE
The NYRR Brooklyn Half is a great race- after you leave Prospect Park, it is predominantly flat and cruises to a fun finish on the Coney Island boardwalk. However, since this has become such a popular race, it is a favorite of new runners who have never done a half marathon before- and tend not to know runner etiquette as a result. I was about 2 miles from the finish when I had to pull up short behind 4 women who stopped short, in a line across the race course, and in the process rolled my ankle. As a result, I have something to prove this year and will definitely be back!
Best NYRR race! Well Organized!
I'm not a huge fan of NYC because of crowds so I was thinking this race wouldn't be good initially. However I was pleasantly surprised. Nice course, well organized, and … MORE
I’m not a huge fan of NYC because of crowds so I was thinking this race wouldn’t be good initially. However I was pleasantly surprised. Nice course, well organized, and easily accessible. At the time I PRed for a half at 2:39…since then I’ve gotten it down to 2:35. Fun post party at Coney along beach! I don’t have any recommendations…NYRR keep doing what you are doing.