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. Your start corral is indicated by the letter printed on your bib, AA-F. You should be in your start corral no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the race.  Corrals are based on the pace indicated in the Profile section of your NYCRUNS Dashboard. You can update your pace at any time.

Please note - Any clothing left at the start will be donated to charity.

TRAINING

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. Sign up at checkout.

The program is fully automated and will kick off 12 weeks before the race.

Program features include:

• • Customized training program that will incorporate various types of training including intervals, hills, tempo, and long runs as well as easy runs and days off.
  • Goals and program content that update based on your ongoing training journey.
  • Ability to log your miles manually or via MapMyRun, Garmin Connect and Strava (not officially supported.)
  • Other training content including cross training, strength training, and nutritional guidance.

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, the New Jersey 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.

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

Hydration - Water and electrolyte fluids will be available on the course and 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 medal (at the finish) 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 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 will receive an email from MarathonFoto several days after the race with information about your complimentary finish line photo and details on how to purchase photos of your entire run along the course. You can also sign up for the photo package at checkout and get them at the best price.

BIB DISTRIBUTION

You can pick up your bib in the Festival Area on race day beginning at 6:00 AM. The bib pick up area will close at 7:30 AM. Bibs are only available for pick up on race morning.

You’ll need to show your unique QR code to pick up your bib (and shirt). Your QR code for this race will be emailed to you and is also located on your NYCRUNS Dashboard under Upcoming Races. The QR code can be added to your Apple Wallet. If a photo of your QR code works best, that’s fine too. You get the idea, when you pick up your bib (and shirt), have your QR code ready!

If you are an NYCRUNS Member, your bib will be mailed to you at no additional cost if you registered more than 30 days before the race. You can become an NYCRUNS member at checkout and receive this free bib mailing benefit immediately.

If you are not an NYCRUNS Member, you can still have your bib mailed to you if you register 30 days or more before the race by adding this service at checkout for an additional $25.

Bibs can can only be sent to a domestic mailing address (we cannot mail to an international address).

If you are having your bib mailed to you, will not receive your race shirt in the mail with your bib. You will need to pick up your shirt on race day.

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 given to the top three overall male, female and non-binary finishers (by gun time) as well as the top three male, female, and non-binary finishers in each of the following age groups (by net time): 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

COST

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

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.

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.

Please familiarize yourself with our complete rules of competition.