Join us for our first winter series event and our last Brooklyn race of the 2023 season! New this year is the half marathon distance - for those who want the finish line cocoa to taste that much sweeter.
The NYCRUNS Cocoa Classic Half Marathon & 5K takes on the classic USTAF-certified Prospect Park course we know and love (yes, even the hill on East Drive). After you Win Your Race, head to a well-deserved brunch at any of the great neighborhood spots within walking distance!
The USATF-Certified half marathon course is comprised of just under 4 full loops (3.25 hills) of the park and a final sprint down Center Drive. This means that you will pass Center Drive 3x and then make one final left turn to the finish. The 5K course subtracts three of those loops.
Bag check will be provided. If you plan on checking a bag, you must use the single clear bag provided by NYCRUNS. You may not put another full bag/backpack/briefcase inside the clear bag. All items must fit inside the clear bag. NYCRUNS reserves the right to search your bag at any time.
There will be portable restrooms available.
Water and either Nuun or Gatorade will be available on the course and at the finish. Bagels, cream cheese, fresh fruit and of course - hot cocoa will make up the usual great NYCRUNS post race spread to replenish you at the finish line.
The giveaway for this race will be a tech shirt* and medal.
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 with information about how to claim your photos.
* In order to cut down on waste, we try not to over order and sizes are not guaranteed.
If you register up to ten days before the event using a domestic address, your bib will be mailed to you for no additional cost. Please make sure the shipping address provided at the time of registration will be valid in the month preceding the race.
If you register after that, use an international address, or your bib doesn't arrive in the mail, you must pick up your bib before the race.
Shirts may be picked up on race day only. Please pick up as early as possible in order to ensure you get the size you want.
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, 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 in the 5K 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.
Age group awards in the half marathon will be awarded to the top three in each of the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-29 and 80 and over.
Our awards policies are available here.
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 may be used to pay for up to 50% of this race.
Race day registration (if available) is online only.
| Half Marathon | Members | Non-Members |
| Through 8/07 | $72 | $80 |
| Through 10/2 | $81 | $90 |
| Through 10/30 | $90 | $100 |
| Through 11/20 | $99 | $110 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $112.50 | $125 |
| 5K | Members | Non-Members |
| Through 8/07 | $36 | $40 |
| Through 10/2 | $41.50 | $45 |
| Through 10/30 | $45.00 | $50 |
| Through 11/20 | $49.50 | $55 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $54.00 | $60 |
Bib Pickup and portable toilets are available near the start. The Q and 2/3 to Grand Army Plaza are the closest subways.
If you need to check a bag or want to pick up your shirt before the race, please head to the Festival area in the Nethermead. Bib pickup and portable toilets are located here as well. The closest subway is the Q to Prospect Park.
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 you to use mass transit.
The standard no-refunds, no-transfers policy applies. Withdrawals for race credit are only applicable to those signed up for the NYCRUNS Membership Program.
Strollers and dogs are not allowed in NYCRUNS races.
You may be disqualified if earbuds or headphones hinder your awareness.
You must remain on pace to finish within the time limit in order to receive course support and an official finish time. Should you fall behind pace and be directed off the course by a race marshal, you agree to do so.
Please familiarize yourself with our complete rules of competition.
As per the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, any adult interacting with amateur athletes, defined as a child or minor under the age of 18 that participates in youth running programs or any events hosted or operated by NYCRUNS, has a duty to report a reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct such as child sex abuse, non-consensual sexual conduct, sexual harassment or intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power within a 24- hour period to local law enforcement by calling the New York State Central Register at 800-635-1522.
Participants found to be listed on a sex offender registry, convicted of a sex crime, or caught having, creating, or distributing child pornography will be immediately barred from all NYCRUNS events.