2021 IN-PERSON EVENT CANCELED, offering virtual option (May 15-23). *** The Popular® Brooklyn Half, the largest half-marathon in the country, is an iconic 13.1-mile journey through the amazing borough of Brooklyn. The race starts near the Brooklyn Museum and ends at a finish line on the Coney Island boardwalk. The …
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2021 IN-PERSON EVENT CANCELED, offering virtual option (May 15-23).
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The Popular® Brooklyn Half, the largest half-marathon in the country, is an iconic 13.1-mile journey through the amazing borough of Brooklyn. The race starts near the Brooklyn Museum and ends at a finish line on the Coney Island boardwalk.
The Popular® Brooklyn Half is part of NYRR’s Five-Borough Series: Run New York. Five Boroughs. One City.
The course starts near the Brooklyn Museum and run past the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and around Grand Army Plaza before entering Prospect Park. After a loop around the park, exit from the southwest corner onto Ocean Parkway and cruise toward the world-famous Coney Island for a triumphant finish on the boardwalk.
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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.