Join us for the 2025 Central Park Half Marathon. Take a wintry tour of the the park's spectacular rolling hills and test your fitness going into the spring season.
If you haven’t raced in Central Park in winter you’re in for an off-season treat. While you’re running the course, you’ll forget all about the crowded streets of Manhattan just a few yards away as you get swept up in the magic of running in one of the city’s most beloved spots. Picture a quiet and peaceful park, with the sounds of runners’ footsteps inspiring you to keep on keeping on.
The race begins on West Drive near 96th Street, and will have you run two and a half loops of the park across 72nd Street and up Harlem Hill before finishing on the 102nd Street transverse.
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 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 check out.
The program is fully automated and will kick off 12 weeks before the race.
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 Half Marathon or New Jersey Half Marathon at Newport. All of our 5K races in Prospect 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 can pick up your bib in the Festival Area on race day beginning at 6:30 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.
If you are not an 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 (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 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 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 1/29 | $99 | $110 |
| Through 2/12 | $112.50 | $125 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $121.50 | $135 |
To get to the Festival Area (for bib pickup, shirts and bag check), take the C train to 102nd St. or the 6 train to 103rd St. and enter the park. The Festival Area is located at the center of the 102nd St. transverse near the finish line.
To go directly to the start, take the C train to 96th street and enter through the 96th St. ramp. There are portable toilets at this entrance but no other amenities.
Please check MTA Trip Planner for up-to-date scheduling information and detailed mass transit directions and Google Maps for driving directions. Parking is limited at all of our events; 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.