NYCRUNS Central Park Half Marathon

THE RACE

Take a wintry tour of the park's spectacular rolling hills and test your fitness going into the spring season. Running Central Park in the winter is an off-season treat. The park is less crowded and the views are more spectacular than other times of the year. Join us for this popular annual half marathon and get swept up in the magic of running in one of the city’s most beloved spaces.

Want To Give This Race to Friends or Family?  Purchase Here

THE COURSE

You'll start on East Drive around 68th Street, run two loops of the park (with a cut through on the 102nd Street Transverse for the first loop), before a final run up East Drive to the Finish back on the 102nd Street Transverse. Which means you'll only do the Harlem Hills a single time! 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 entry lane to the start corrals will be located on East Drive near 67th Street.

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 6:30 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 6:30AM) - Portable bathrooms 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, of course), and fresh fruit will be available to refresh and replenish you at the finish line.

Swag (distribution begins at 6:30 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 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'll pick up your bib in the Festival Area on race day beginning at 6:30 AM. Bib Pick-Up closes at 8:00 AM. Please give yourself enough time to wait in line to pick up your bib. It's a short walk to the start corrals from the Festival Area.

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.

GETTING TO THE RACE

Mass transit is always the best way to get to the race. Check MTA Trip Planner for the train and bus line that's most convenient for you, as well as up-to-date schedule information. Street parking is limited around the park. The Festival Area is located near the Naumburg Bandshell, just south of the 72nd Street Transverse. The entry lane to the Start Corrals will be located on East Drive near 67th Street.

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

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.

RACE TRAINING

We’ve partnered with Runna – the #1 coaching app – to level up your training. Runna delivers personalized plans geared to your goals and abilities, smartwatch compatibility, nutrition & injury support, strength training, and the support of the Runna community. Get ready for your race with a free, 2-week trial with Runna using the code NYCRUNNA.

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.

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. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

#NYCRUNS #CentralParkHalfMarathon #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. 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.