NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon

THE RACE

We're going all out for the last NYCRUNS race of 2025!

The NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon kicks off our winter stint in Central Park. With a USATF-certified course and our most spectacular medal yet, this race has become a seasonal favorite.

After you cross the finish line and leave the park for your post-race celebration (wearing that beautiful medal), there's plenty of holiday fun to explore all over the city.

THE COURSE

The half marathon begins on West Drive near 67th Street (close to Tavern on the Green) and makes two full loops (plus an extra mile) around the park before finishing on the 72nd Street Transverse.

All NYCRUNS courses are USATF-certified.

Half Marathon Course Map | USATF Certification

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. The Start Corrals are located on Well House Drive.

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.

AMENITIES

Bag Check (opens at 6:00 AM) - If you plan on checking your gear, you must use one single clear bag. If your bag isn't clear, NYCRUNS will provide you with a clear bag (18" x 24") when you check your gear.

You may not put another full bag/backpack/briefcase filled with gear inside the clear bag that NYCRUNS provides. All items must fit inside one clear bag. NYCRUNS reserves the right to search the contents in your bag at any time.

Bathrooms (open at 6:00AM) - Portable bathrooms will be available throughout the event.

Hydration - Water and electrolyte fluids will be available on the course along with cans of smartwater at the finish.

Post Race Refreshments - Further hydration, bagels (with a schmear), and fresh fruit will be available to refresh and replenish you at the finish line.

Swag (distribution begins at 6:00 AM) - The giveaway for this race will be a finishers medal and an official race shirt. Shirts may be picked up on race day only. In order to cut down on waste, we try not to over order and shirt sizes are not guaranteed. If you have your heart set on a size, we recommend picking up your shirt before the race.

Photos - You'll receive one complimentary photo and the option to purchase additional photos. MarathonFoto will send you an email after the race with all the details. You can also sign up for a photo package at checkout.

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 this free bib mailing benefit. 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: For NYCRUNS members and non-members, 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. Shirts are not mailed with bibs.

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

Athletes meeting the following criteria will be eligible for prize money:

• Men - 1:20:00 or faster (gun time)
• Women - 1:30:00 or faster (gun time)
• Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming - 1:30:00 or faster (gun time)
• You must be a NYCRUNS member in good standing prior to the day of the race
• 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)
• If you finish in the Top-10 of any division (Male, Female, Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming) but cannot verify your gender using these guidelines, you will be disqualified and removed from the results
• 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

Prize money will be distributed as follows:

First Place: $1,000
Second Place: $500
Third Place: $250
Fourth Place: $200
Fifth Place: $150
Sixth - Tenth Place: $100

NYCRUNS LOCAL ELITE PROGRAM

This race is a qualifying event for NYCRUNS Local Elite Athlete Race Entry Program. NYCRUNS Members can earn future complimentary entry into all NYCRUNS events (with the exception of the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon) for a one-year period from the date of this race if the qualifications listed below are met:

• Men - 1:20:00 or faster (gun time)
• Women - 1:30:00 or faster (gun time)
• Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming - 1:30:00 or faster (gun time)
• You must be a NYCRUNS member in good standing prior to the day of the race
• 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 entry into the program)
• If you achieve the time standard in any division (Male, Female, Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming) but cannot verify your gender using these guidelines, you will be disqualified from that race and removed from the results
• If you meet the qualifications, NYCRUNS will reach out to you regarding entry into the program
• 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

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.

PRICING

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 (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.

DIRECTIONS

The Festival Area (where you’ll find bib and shirt pickup along with bag check) is located at the Naumburg Bandshell area, with points of entry at both 72^nd Street and 69^th Street off 5^th Avenue. If arriving by subway, you can take the 6 train to 68^th Street-Hunter College, or the F or Q to trains to Lexington Avenue/63^rd Street. You can also take the M1, M2, M3, M4, or M72 bus to the 5^th Avenue/72^nd Street stop or the M72 to the East 72^nd Street/Madison Avenue stop. For those who prefer two wheels, there’s a Cit Bike station located on 5^th Avenue at 72^nd Street.

The start is just off Central Park West at 67^th Street. If you're going directly to the Start, take the B or C train to 72^nd Street or the A, D, or 1 train to 59^th Street-Columbus Circle and walk up Central Park West . If you’re taking the bus, ride the M10 or M72 to the Central Park West/67^th Street stop or the M20 or M66 to 66^th Street/Columbus Avenue. There’s a Citi Bike station at Central Park West & 68^th Street. Water will be available at the Start. All other amenities are located at the Festival Area.

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 the use of mass transit.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

#NYCRUNS #BigAppleHalf #WinYourRace

STAYING IN MANHATTAN

If you're looking to stay overnight in Manhattan near the race, check out these hotel deals.

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. 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.