The first NYRR Staten Island Half took place almost 40 years ago in 1987 to showcase the borough that hosts the start of the TCS New York City Marathon. The NYRR Five-Borough Series will once again finish with the NYRR Staten Island Half, a race dedicated to making a positive impact on the borough that hosts the start of the TCS New York City Marathon. Scheduled just four weeks before the TCS New York City Marathon, the NYRR Staten Island Half is a perfect tune-up for NYRR’s flagship event and features fabulous views of New York Harbor and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
Detailed Route Info:
Miles 1 and 2: Start on Bay Street, below Slosson Terrace, and continue south on Bay Street.
Miles 3 and 4: Turn from Bay Street onto School Road, then follow Lily Pond Avenue to Father Capodanno Boulevard.
Miles 5–8: Follow Father Capodanno Boulevard, making a U-turn on Mile 7 near the intersection of Father Capodanno Boulevard and Midland Avenue.
Mile 9: Turn right onto McClean Avenue; approaching Fort Wadsworth, McClean Avenue becomes Battery Road. Turn left into Fort Wadsworth via New York Avenue, then turn left onto Marshall Road. The Mile 9 marker is located near the right turn from Marshall Road onto Drum Avenue.
Mile 10: Turn right from Drum Avenue onto New York Avenue, then turn left exit Fort Wadsworth onto Battery Road. Turn left from Battery Road onto Hudson Road, passing under the Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge before continuing on Hudson Road. Turn left onto Mont Sec Avenue and reach the Mile 10 marker soon after.
Mile 11: Turn right from Mont Sec Avenue onto New York Avenue; leaving Fort Wadsworth, New York Avenue becomes Bay Street. Turn right onto Hylan Boulevard, then left onto Edgewater Street before reaching the Mile 11 mark.
Mile 12 and 13: Follow Edgewater Street, turning right onto Front Street. Bear right as Front Street turns onto Murray Hulbert Avenue, then turn left onto Hannah Street. Turn right from Hannah Street onto Bay Street, and continue on Bay Street to the finish near the U.S. Postal Service building.
Time Limit: In the interest of safety, and to allow Staten Island streets to reopen as scheduled, any participant who is unable to maintain a 13:45-per-mile pace throughout the race (based on the time when the last runner crosses the start line) will have the opportunity to board a sweep bus, starting at approximately mile 6 for transport to the finish.
The NYRR Staten Island Half is a part of NYRR’s Five-Borough Series: Run New York. Five Boroughs. One City. The NYRR Five-Borough Series showcases our renewed commitment to the individuals and communities in each borough. More than just five races, the NYRR Five-Borough Series — the NYC Half, the Brooklyn Half, the NYRR Queens 10K, the Bronx 10 Mile, and the NYRR Staten Island Half — is a celebration of what makes each borough unique, inspiring, and an amazing place to get out and get moving!
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My 50th half marathon
Didn't realize until now that this was my 50th half marathon. This was my 2nd time running this race (see my recap from 2018). I put off for many years … MORE
Didn’t realize until now that this was my 50th half marathon. This was my 2nd time running this race (see my recap from 2018). I put off for many years running this race assuming it would be a hassle. Instead, I found that I enjoy the total experience–getting the start via the ferry, running in a borough I don’t spend a lot of time in, and the course itself.
Awesome and beautiful race
Good: Very well run race, NYRR really knows how to stage a race with easy access, plenty of volunteers to take care of the runners and a well-organized effort overall … MORE
Good:
Very well run race, NYRR really knows how to stage a race with easy access, plenty of volunteers to take care of the runners and a well-organized effort overall
Beautiful course with views of the Verrazzano Bridge and Lower Manhattan skyline
The course starts and ends at the same spot (this is a preference of mine) and it’s at the ferry terminal which made it easier to get to and from Staten Island
Good and frequent aid stations
Very good post-race snack bag, just enough to replenish without all of the ads usually in these bags
Cool long-sleeved shirts (because how many running t-shirts to I really need?)
Meh:
A bit hilly and having the finish end with a long uphill section is a bit unfortunate
Roads are a bit narrow at parts
Bad:
Nothing bad in particular
Great tuneup half before NYC marathon!!!
Finally, after 2 years of really crappy weather we got a PERFECT day: NO RAIN, 50°F, overcast, not too humid, just what's needed for a new PR. First 8 miles … MORE
Finally, after 2 years of really crappy weather we got a PERFECT day: NO RAIN, 50°F, overcast, not too humid, just what’s needed for a new PR. First 8 miles are fairly flat, the hills start just past the 8-mile marker, some flats between miles 11-13, with an uphill finish after. Plenty of aid stations, water and Gatorade. NYRR knows how to put on a great race, every single time!!! It’s just so far away to get to, that’s the only minus but you get to enjoy the sunrise with the views of the Statue of Liberty while taking the Staten Island ferry to the start;)
Race with a view
Manhattan and Brooklyn Half Marathons get a lot of attention. Visit one of the other NYC boroughs-Staten Island-to mix things up. The best way to get to and from the … MORE
Manhattan and Brooklyn Half Marathons get a lot of attention. Visit one of the other NYC boroughs-Staten Island-to mix things up. The best way to get to and from the race is the (free) Staten Island Ferry. NYRR knows how to put on a race. Things run smoothly.
The course has some rolling hills, but nothing too awful. You get some nice views of the Bridge, Manhattan, and Governors Island.
Long sleeve technical shirt and a decent medal are the swag.
The Staten Island is one of the races you can do to get guaranteed entry into the NYC Half in March (you have to do 4 borough races).
Bottom line: I used to be wary of the effort to get to this race. It wasn’t that bad and it was an enjoyable day.
Easy course + one big hill
There were water stations every mile. It was an out-and-back course with a small detour at mile 8 that takes you up a steep hill then along the coast of … MORE
There were water stations every mile. It was an out-and-back course with a small detour at mile 8 that takes you up a steep hill then along the coast of the island with a nice view of southern Manhattan. Very dissatisfied with bag check – there were only 5 lines for 11,000 runners and the lines were very disorganized. Waited 40 min in 55deg wind and rain without a heat wrap (they ran out) to get my bag.