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.
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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.
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.
Good course for a PR
A very popular half marathon and the largest in the country (33,000+). This is one of the "5 Borough Series" organized by the NYRR. The race is done in two … MORE
A very popular half marathon and the largest in the country (33,000+). This is one of the “5 Borough Series” organized by the NYRR. The race is done in two “Waves”. The second Wave leaves about an hour after the Wave 1. I don’t think Wave 2 gets as much pomp. But whatever. The start area is well organized and potties are conveniently located adjacent to each corral. Ideal for going immediately before the start! The course is a bit boring…Prospect Park has a few hills but nothing difficult and this takes up the first 7 miles of the race about. The last part of the race is straight down Ocean Parkway–can I say even more boring??? Fans leave after Wave 1 goes by. The course elevation map reads this section as flat, but I believe it runs on a slight incline through mile12. There is also an uphill the last 800 meters, not noted on the course map either. The turn onto the boardwalk is a tiny narrow ramp and so crowded you have to bascially walk it. The last 200 meters on the Boardwalk is kind of cool, but it is very short. The volunteers handing out medals were not too cheerful and there was no one telling you where to go to pick up stuff. The finish was a bit chaotic. Also no one knows directions to the subway! The medal and T-shirt are really cool though! The finisher gear is nice too. Certainly a bucket list half but I don’t think I would run it again. It’s a bit over-hyped. Water and gatorade stations plentiful and one gel station at mile 8. Post race food bag is just water, gatorade, pretzels and a power bar. They handed out apples also. If you are beer drinker you will love this race–seems t o be a big party race.
Fun Race!!
Fun race that starts in prospect park and ends on Coney Island boardwalk. Stay for a hot dog and a beer on the boardwalk and watch the other runners cross … MORE
Fun race that starts in prospect park and ends on Coney Island boardwalk. Stay for a hot dog and a beer on the boardwalk and watch the other runners cross the finish line!! Sells out fast!!
Another great NYRR race
The first half of the course is fun. Meandering through Prospect Park. The second half of the course gets a little boring. You come out of the Park and head … MORE
The first half of the course is fun. Meandering through Prospect Park. The second half of the course gets a little boring. You come out of the Park and head to Coney Island. The course is on a Parkway for this section and it gets quite boring. The finish on the boardwalk is well worth it however. Great finish area. The Parkway has no character however.
Port-a-potties in the corrals. nuff said
Seriously - port-a-potties IN THE STARTING CORRALS is the best thing I've ever experienced. I don't know why more races haven't done this, but it made for a genius setup, … MORE
Seriously – port-a-potties IN THE STARTING CORRALS is the best thing I’ve ever experienced. I don’t know why more races haven’t done this, but it made for a genius setup, and a relaxing and delightful start to the race. The course was awesome, the aid stations were spot on, and the finish line was a big party.