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.
The race begins on West Drive near 96th Street, heads downtown before crossing over the 72nd Street Transverse for a turn uptown and over Harlem Hill, for a total of two and a half loops of the park before finishing on the 102nd Street transverse. Hydration stations, medical support, and bathrooms are available at three locations along the loop.
All NYCRUNS courses are USATF-certified.
Half Marathon Course Map | Certification
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.
The Official NYCRUNS 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. Sign up at check out prior to the start of the program.
Program features include:
Due to the fact that the half marathon is a multi-loop course, we do not advise handcycle or wheelchair athlete participants to register for this race. If you're looking for a half marathon, we’d suggest registering for the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon or New Jersey Half Marathon at Newport. All of our 5K races in Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and Central Park are great options to participate in as well.
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.
Restrooms (open at 6:30AM) - 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 6:30 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.
You'll pick up your bib in the Festival Area on race day beginning at 6:30 AM (if you don't receive it in the mail prior to race day**). Bib Pick-Up closes at 8:00 AM. Please give yourself enough time to wait in line to pick up your bib and then make the 10-15 minute walk to the Start Corrals. 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'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 this service at checkout for an additional $25. Bibs can only be mailed to runners who register 30 days or more before the date of the event and can only be sent to a domestic mailing address. Race shirts are not mailed with your bib. You will need to pick up your shirt on race day.
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 male, female and non-binary runners overall.
Age group awards will be awarded to 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.
Athletes meeting the following criteria will be eligible for prize money:
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
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:
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.
| Half Marathon | Members | Non-Members |
| Through 11/20 | $81 | $90 |
| Through 12/25 | $90 | $100 |
| Through 1/22 | $99 | $110 |
| Through 2/12 | $112.50 | $125 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $121.50 | $135 |
The Festival Area (for bib & shirt pick up and bag check) is located by the 102nd Street Crossing, adjacent to the North Meadow ballfields next to East Drive. To enter from the west side of the park, take the B or C trains to 103rd St. or the M10 bus to 102nd St. To enter from the east side of the park, take the 6 train to 103rd St. or the M1, 2, 3, or 4 buses to 102nd St.
To go directly to the Start, take the B or C trains to 96th St. or the M10 bus to 96th St. The Start Corrals are on West Drive near 96th St.
Please check MTA Trip Planner for up-to-date scheduling information and detailed mass transit directions.
Parking is limited. We strongly encourage all participants to use mass transit.
Share your race day journey on social and tag @nycruns on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
#NYCRUNS #CentralParkHalf #WinYourRace
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.