Event Description
THE RACE
We’re saving the best for last. We reserve this race for our BIGGEST and FLASHIEST finisher medal. Seriously, normal people probably couldn’t even wear it around their necks, but YOU CAN because you’re an awesome athlete who just completed a half marathon in winter! 5Kers get a great medal too, but a tad smaller.
If you haven’t raced in Central Park in winter you’re in for an off-season treat. You’d never know that the clogged streets of 5th avenue and Central Park West are only a few yards away. The park is quiet and peaceful, with just the sounds of runners’ footsteps to serenade you.
Feel like doing this one independently? You may also choose the virtual option.
THE COURSE
The half marathon begins on West Drive near 96th Street, completing two and a half loops of the park across 72nd Street and up Harlem Hill before finishing on the 102nd Street transverse. The 5K begins a bit further south and finishes in the same spot.
Half Marathon Course Map
5K Course Map
Event details and schedule
COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed many things about our events. The following procedures are planned for this event. Prior to the race you will receive more information if changes or additions are necessary.
- You may not attend the event if you have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive in the fourteen (14) days prior to the event.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 within the fourteen days following the event, you must email theteam@nycruns.com so that we may notify staff and participants as necessary.
- If you are not vaccinated, you must wear a face covering throughout this event other than when running. When running, you may remove the covering only when you can maintain social distance and the covering must remain around your head in some fashion so it can easily be reapplied.
- In order to manage crowding, spectators are discouraged at the race, particularly at the start and finish. NYCRUNS reserves the right to ask spectators to leave the race site.
THE AMENITIES
Bag check will be provided. If you plan on checking a bag, you must use the single clear bag provided by NYCRUNS. You may not put another full bag/backpack/briefcase inside the clear bag. All items must fit inside the clear bag. NYCRUNS reserves the right to search your bag at any time.
Toilets will be provided and cleaned throughout the event.
Water and Gatorade will be available on the course, and hot cocoa (unless it's over 50 degrees), bagels, spreads, fresh fruit, and more will make up the usual great NYCRUNS post race spread to replenish you at the finish line.
The giveaway for this race will be a tech shirt* and medal. Free finish line photos will be available within a week of the race.
* In order to cut down on waste, we try not to overorder and sizes are not guaranteed.
BIB & SHIRT DISTRIBUTION
There will be no pre-race bib pickup for the in person event. If you register up to ten days before the event using a domestic address, your bib will be mailed to you. If you register after that or using an international address, you must pick up your bib in the festival area. Shirts may be picked up on race day.
Shirts and medals will be mailed to virtual participants. Virtual participants will not receive a bib.
Please make sure the shipping address provided at the time of registration will be valid when your items are shipped, 5 - 10 days before the race.
There is no charge for domestic shipping. International athletes will need to pick up their bib on race day unless they select the virtual option, in which case there is a $40 shipping charge.
COST
See chart below. NYCRUNS members receive a 20% discount on this race, race deferral rights, and other perks. You can become a member when you check out.
Race day registration (if available) is online only.
| Half Marathon | Members | Non-Members |
| Through 09/25 | $64 | $80 |
| Through 10/30 | $72 | $90 |
| Through 11/27 | $80 | $100 |
| Through 12/4 | $88 | $110 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $100 | $125 |
| 5K | Members | Non-Members |
| Through 09/25 | $32 | $40 |
| Through 10/30 | $36 | $45 |
| Through 11/27 | $40 | $50 |
| Through 12/4 | $44 | $55 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $48 | $60 |
RESULTS, AWARDS & FINISH LINE PHOTOS
Results will be emailed and the full results will be posted on our results page after the race. Finish line photos will also be available on the results page several days after the event.
Awards will be given to the top three male, female, and non-binary runners overall in each race. Age group awards in the half will be awarded to the top three in each the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 70-79, and 80 and over. Age group awards in the 5K will be awarded to the top three in each the following age groups: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over. There are no awards for the virtual event. Our awards policies are available here.
DIRECTIONS
To get to the main festival area (for bib and shirt pickup and bag check), take the C train to 102nd St. or the 6 train to 103rd St. and enter the park. Race HQ is located at the center of the 102nd St. transverse near the finish line.
To go directly to the start take the C train to 96th street and enter through the 96th St. ramp. There are toilets, but no other amenities at this entrance.
Please check MTA Trip Planner for up to date and detailed mass transit directions and Google Maps for driving directions. Parking is limited at all of our events, we strongly encourage you to use mass transit.
POLICIES
The standard no-refunds, no-deferrals, no-transfers policy applies, unless you are signed up for the NYCRUNS Membership Program. NYCRUNS members receive a 10% discount, race deferral rights, and other perks. Strollers or dogs are not allowed in NYCRUNS races and you may be disqualified if earbuds or headphones hinder your awareness. You must remain on pace to finish within the time limit in order to receive course support and an official finish time. Please familiarize yourself with our complete policies and rules of competition.
As per the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, any adult interacting with amateur athletes, defined as a child or minor under the age of 18 that participates in youth running programs or any events hosted or operated by NYCRUNS, has a duty to report a reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct such as child sex abuse, non-consensual sexual conduct, sexual harassment or intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power within a 24- hour period to local law enforcement by calling the New York State Central Register at 800-635-1522. Participants found to be listed on a sex offender registry, convicted of a sex crime, or caught having, creating, or distributing child pornography will be immediately barred from all NYCRUNS events.
