Join us for our last Brooklyn race of the year! Catch the holiday spirit with our amazing NYCRUNNERS community and enjoy a warm chocolate treat and a sweet looking finisher's medal waiting for you at the finish line!
The 5K course is not quite one full loop of the park, with a final sprint up Center Drive to the Finish. All NYCRUNS courses are USATF-certified.
We welcome Handcycle Division and Wheelchair Division athletes in this 5K race as well as the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon, the New Jersey Half Marathon at Newport, and all our 5K races in Prospect Park and Central Park. If your account reflects that you are in one of these divisions, you will automatically be entered into it when you register for this race. You can change your designation at any time in the Profile section of your NYCRUNS Dashboard. To ensure a safe race experience for all, Handcycle & Wheelchair Division athletes must be at the Start line ready to race at least 30 minutes before the race’s published start time.
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.
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, of course), fresh fruit, and HOT COCOA will be available after you finish.
Swag (distribution begins at 6:00 AM) - The giveaway for this race will be a tech shirt and sweet looking finisher's medal. 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 - Free finish line photos will be available within a week of the race. You will receive an email from MarathonFoto several days after the race to claim your photos.
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 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 in each race. Age group awards will be awarded to the top three in each the following age groups: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over.
Our awards policies are available here.
See chart below. NYCRUNS members receive a 20% 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.
| Dates | Members | Non-Members |
| Through 7/9/25 | $36 | $45 |
| Through 10/22/25 | $40 | $50 |
| Through 11/5/25 | $44 | $55 |
| Through 11/26/25 | $48 | $60 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $52 | $65 |
Mass transit is always the best way to get to NYCRUNS events.
Getting to the Festival Area and Start Corrals - If you need to pick up your bib, check your gear, or get your shirt before the race, go to the Festival Area in the Nethermead. Portable restrooms are located at the Festival Area as well. The Start Corrals are a short walk away on Well House Drive.
The closest subway stations to the Festival Area and the Start Corrals are the Prospect Park Station (B & Q) or the 15th Street/Prospect Park Station (F & G). The closets bus stops are at Prospect Park Southwest/11th Avenue (B68) or Ocean Avenue/Lincoln Road (B16). Check MTA Trip Planner for up-to-date scheduling information and detailed mass transit directions.
Citi Bike stations are located at Prospect Park Southwest /16th St. and Lincoln Rd./Ocean Ave.
If you’re having a car drop you off, use 101 Prospect Park Southwest as the drop off address. The Festival Area and Start Corrals are just a short walk away. Driving yourself is not recommended as parking is extremely limited.
Share your race day journey on social and tag @nycruns on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
#NYCRUNS #CocoaClassic #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.