NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon

THE RACE

Join us for our Tenth Annual Big Apple race in Central Park! Since 2017, this has been one of our most popular annual events. The NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon is the first race of our Central Park winter race series and includes one of our most popular FINISHER MEDALS. Oh, and it's a holiday season favorite too, with the world-famous park in all its seasonal splendor.

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THE COURSE

Details on the looped course around Central Park will be available closer to race day.

Half Marathon Course Map (2025 race)

All NYCRUNS courses are USATF-certified.

START CORRALS

NYCRUNS uses a pace-based corral system. Start Corrals are assigned by letter, AA-F. Your Start Corral assignment will be noted on your bib (see Bib Distribution below). Please be in your start corral no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the race.  Corral assignments are based on the pace indicated in your NYCRUNS Dashboard under Profile. You can update your pace at any time.

AMENITIES

Bag Check (opens at 6:00 AM) - If you plan on checking gear, you'll have to use a single clear bag, which we'll provide (18" x 24") if you don't have one. All items must fit inside one clear bag. For security reasons, NYCRUNS reserves the right to search the contents in your bag at any time.

Bathrooms (available at 6:00AM) - Portable bathrooms will be available in the Festival Area and on the course.

Post Race Eats - After your 13.1-mile run we'll be there to refuel you with our signature bagel options - everything, plain, cinnamon raisin (with a schmear, of course), and....wait for it...a very big apple!

Participant Shirt (distribution begins at 6:00 AM) - The giveaway for this race will be a great looking tech race shirt. Participant shirts can be picked up on race day only. In order to cut down on waste, we try not to over order and sizes are not guaranteed. If you have your heart set on a size, we recommend picking up your singlet before the race.

Finisher Medal - A tasty looking finisher medal will be waiting for you when you complete the race.

Photos - You'll receive one complimentary photo and the option to purchase additional photos from marathonfoto.com. MarathonFoto will send you an email after the race with all your photo details. Additionally, you can prepurchase all your race day photos at checkout for a discounted rate.

BIB DISTRIBUTION

You can pick up your bib in the Festival Area on race day beginning at 6:00 AM. Bibs are only available for pick up on race day. You’ll need to show your unique QR code to pick up your bib. Your QR code will be available the week of the race on your NYCRUNS Dashboard under Upcoming Races (we'll also send it to you in a pre-race email). The QR code can be added to your Apple Wallet.

If you're a NYCRUNS Member, your bib will be mailed to you at no additional cost. You can become a NYCRUNS member at checkout and receive the free bib mailing benefit immediately. If you're not a NYCRUNS Member, you can still have your bib mailed to you by adding it at checkout for an additional $25.

NOTE: Bibs can only be mailed if you register 20 days or more before the date of the event and can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address. Participant shirts are not mailed with bibs.

GETTING TO THE RACE

Mass transit is the best way to get to NYCRUNS events. Check MTA.info for schedule information, details on any planned service changes, and the latest updates on train or bus service. Parking is limited at all of our events.

HANDCYCLE/WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES

Due to the fact that this is a multi-loop course, we do not advise handcycle or wheelchair athletes to register for this event. We’d suggest registering for the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon or any of our 5K races in Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, or Central Park.

PRICING

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 (combined with the member discount) may be used to pay for up to 50% or $40 (whichever is greater) off the original race entry price. Race day registration (if available) is online only.

RESULTS & AWARDS

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 with your finish time, please fill out this form.

Awards will be available to the top three male, female and non-binary runners overall (gun time). Age group awards will be available to the top three male, female, and non-binary finishers in each of the following age groups (net/chip time) in the Half: 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 and over. Additional information about awards can be found in our help section here.

PRIZE MONEY

NYCRUNS Members who meet the following criteria will be eligible for prize money:

• You must be a NYCRUNS member in good standing prior to, and on, race day
• Top 10 finish in a gender category (gun time)
• Men – Half Marathon under 1:20:00 (gun time)
• Women – Half Marathon under 1:30:00 (gun time)
• Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming – Half Marathon under 1:30:00 (gun time)
• You must have competed only in your registered gender, and your gender must not have been changed on your NYCRUNS profile, within six (6) months of the event
• You must have a history of competing in NYCRUNS events, which includes being officially scored in at least three (3) NYCRUNS events in your registered gender (the third race can be the race you win prize money in)
• You must be able to provide a copy of an official government issued ID (i.e., driver’s license, passport) that confirms your registered gender (if you are unable to obtain an official government ID that either identifies your registered gender or allows you to not identify a gender, NYCRUNS will take that under consideration when determining eligibility for prize money)
• You can request review of any of the eligibility guidelines as they relate to your specific situation (except for time standards) by filling out this form
• NYCRUNS retains the right to review and determine all decisions on prize money eligibility, up to and including disqualification

Prize money distribution:
1st Place: $1,000
2nd Place: $500
3rd Place: $250
4th Place: $200
5th Place: $150
6th – 10th Place: $100 

NYCRUNS LOCAL ELITE PROGRAM

NYCRUNS members can qualify for the NYCRUNS Local Elite Athlete Race Entry Program and earn future complimentary entry into NYCRUNS events (with the exception of the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon) for a one-year period from the date of the race where qualification is achieved. A limited number of complimentary entries will be available for each race that qualified runners can secure on a first-come basis.

This is a qualifying race for the NYCRUNS Local Elite Athlete Race Entry Program. Qualifying guidelines are as follows:

• You must be a NYCRUNS member in good standing prior to, and on, race day
• Men – Half Marathon under 1:20:00 (gun time)
• Women – Half Marathon under 1:30:00 (gun time)
• Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming – Half Marathon under 1:30:00 (gun time)
• You must have competed only in your registered gender, and your gender must not have been changed on your NYCRUNS profile, within six (6) months of the event
• You must have a history of competing in NYCRUNS events, which includes being officially scored in at least three (3) NYCRUNS events in your registered gender
• You must be able to provide a copy of an official government issued ID (i.e., driver’s license, passport) that confirms your registered gender (if you are unable to obtain an official government ID that either identifies your registered gender or allows you to not identify a gender, NYCRUNS will take that under consideration when determining eligibility for prize money)
• You can request review of any of the eligibility guidelines as they relate to your specific situation (except for time standards) by filling out this form
• NYCRUNS retains the right to review and determine all decisions on Local Elite Athlete Entry Program eligibility

NYCRUNS EVENTS APP

The free NYCRUNS Events App provides real-time tracking of every runner at every race and has lots of other useful info too. You and your friends and family can easily download the app at the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

GET EXCLUSIVE RUNNER’S WORLD+ MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Take advantage of this exclusive RW+ membership opportunity for $10 and get 1-year of unlimited access to RunnersWorld.com, curated Runner’s World training plans for any running goal, exclusive training programs, such as “How to Master the Half Marathon” with step-by-step coaching, access to a Members-Only newsletter with exclusive content and advice, the chance to test new shoes & gear before anyone else, and the opportunity to appear in Runner’s World!  Select “Yes” at checkout and we’ll email you the link to sign up.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Share your race day journey on social and tag @nycruns on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

#NYCRUNS #BigAppleHalfMarathon #WinYourRace

POLICIES

The standard no-refunds, no-transfers policy applies. NYCRUNS members can withdraw for race credit. See details here.

Strollers and dogs are not allowed in NYCRUNS races. You may be disqualified if earbuds or headphones hinder your awareness. The use of celebratory confetti cannons is strictly prohibited. Please familiarize yourself with our complete rules of competition.

All NYCRUNS races have time limits. You must remain on pace to finish within the time limit to receive course support and an official finish time. If you fall behind pace and are directed off the course by a race marshal, please follow the instruction given for safety purposes.