We've saved the best for last! Famed for having one of our flashiest medals, the
NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon & 5K has become a favorite for both NYCRUNNERS and out-of-towners!
If you haven’t raced in Central Park in winter, you’re in for an off-season treat. And when you're ready to leave the peaceful park for post-race festivities, there's plenty of hullabaloo all over the city to get you in the holiday spirit.
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.
All NYCRUNS courses are USATF certified.
Half Marathon Course Map | Certification
The Official Half Marathon Training Program will help you Win Your Race! This 12-week customized program is based on your running history, racing goals, and schedule. Lose the one-size-fits-all PDFs and let us help you get to the starting line feeling healthy and ready to crush it.
The program is fully automated and will kick off 12 weeks before the race.
Program features include:
Training Plan No Longer Available.
Bag Check - 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 - Portable restrooms will be available for use throughout the event.
Refreshments - Water and electrolyte beverage will be available on the course and at the finish. Bagels, spreads, and fresh fruit will make up the usual great NYCRUNS post race spread to replenish you at the finish line.
SWAG - The giveaway for this race will be a medal and a long sleeve tech shirt. Shirts may be picked up on race day only. In order to cut down on waste, we try not to overorder and sizes are not guaranteed. If you have your heart set on a size, we recommend picking up your shirt before the race.
Photos - Photography will be available for purchase within a week of the race. You will receive an email from MarathonFoto several days after the race with information about how to claim your photos.
If you register thirty days or more before the event using a domestic address, your bib will be mailed to you for no additional cost. Please make sure the shipping address provided at the time of registration will be valid in the month preceding the race.
If you register after that, use an international address, or your bib doesn't arrive in the mail, you must pick up your bib on race day an hour before your start time.
If you need to switch distances, please do so on your NYCRUNS dashboard. You may only switch distances if the distance you are looking to switch to is not sold out. You may need to contact customer service if there is a difference in price. You also must pick up the appropriate distance bib on race day from the Bib Pick-Up tent.Runners who participate with a bib for an improper distance (i.e. you run the 5K with a Half Marathon bib or vice versa) will not be scored, eligible for awards, or appear in race results.
Results will be emailed and the full results will be posted on our results page after the race. If you do not see your result online or receive an email, please fill out this form.
Awards will be given to the top three male, female, and non-binary runners overall in each race.
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.
Age group awards in the half marathon will be awarded to the top three in each of the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-29 and 80 and over.
Our awards policies are available here.
See chart below. NYCRUNS members receive a 10% discount on this race, race withdrawal rights, and other perks. You can become a member when you check out.
Race Credit may be used to pay for up to 50% of this race.
Race day registration (if available) is online only.
| Half Marathon | Members | Non-Members |
| Through 8/14 | $72 | $80 |
| Through 10/10 | $81 | $90 |
| Through 11/08 | $90 | $100 |
| Through 11/29 | $99 | $110 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $112.50 | $125 |
| 5K | Members | Non-Members |
| Through 8/14 | $41.50 | $45 |
| Through 10/10 | $45 | $50 |
| Through 11/08 | $49.50 | $55 |
| Through 11/29 | $54 | $60 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $58.50 | $65 |
To get to the main festival area (for bib pickup, shirts, and bag check), take the C or 6 train to 103rd St. and enter the park. The Festival 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 portable toilets and bib pick up, but no other amenities at this entrance. Note, the downtown-bound C train will be skipping 96th St. and 103rd St. stops.
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.
The standard no-refunds, no-transfers policy applies. Withdrawals for race credit are only applicable to those signed up for the NYCRUNS Membership Program.
Strollers and dogs are not allowed in NYCRUNS races.
You may be disqualified if earbuds or headphones hinder your awareness.
All NYCRUNS races have time limits. You must remain on pace to finish within the time limit in order to receive course support and an official finish time. Should you fall behind pace and be directed off the course by a race marshal, you must follow the instruction given so that we may run a safe event.
Please familiarize yourself with our complete rules of competition.