Calling all fall lovers! Explore Brooklyn's backyard during prime running season at the NYCRUNS Falling Leaves Half Marathon & 5K.
Work this race into your fall marathon training or just take in the gorgeous fall foliage along our USATF-certified Prospect Park course. This is one of our most popular events with a gorgeous medal for both half and 5K participants.
The half marathon course is comprised of just under four full loops of the park and a final sprint down Center Drive. This means that you will pass Center Drive three times and then make one final left turn to the finish. The 5K course subtracts three of those loops.
All NYCRUNS courses are USATF certified.
Half Marathon Course Map | Certification
NYCRUNS uses a pace-based corral system. You will line up for the Start in the Corral printed on your bib. Your Corral will be based on the pace you entered at the time of registration. Corrals will line up from AA through F.
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), and fresh fruit will be available after you finish.
Swag (distribution begins at 6:00 AM) - The giveaway for this race will be a medal (at the finish) and a 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 - 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. Bibs are only available for pick up on race morning.
If you are an NYCRUNS Member, your bib will be mailed to you at no additional cost. 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 $20.
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.
If you want to switch distances, you can do so on your NYCRUNS dashboard if you are moving from the Half to the 5K. If you want to switch from the 5K to the Half, you will need to contact customer service. You may only switch distances if the distance you are looking to switch to is not sold out. If you change distances, you will need to pick up your appropriate distance bib on race day at the Bib Pick-Up tent. Runners who participate with a bib designated for a different distance (e.g., you run the 5K with a Half Marathon bib or vice versa) will not be scored, eligible for awards or appear in race results.
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 in the Half 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.
Age group awards in the 5K will be awarded to the top three male, female, and non-binary finishers in each of the following age groups (by net time): 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over.
Additional information about awards can be found in our help section here.
Within the Half Marathon division, 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
The NYCRUNS Local Elite Race Entry Program provides any athlete competing in select NYCRUNS half marathons* who meet the criteria outlined below with complimentary entry to all NYCRUNS races (excluding the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon) for a one-year period from the date of the race that the criteria are met.
*Qualifying events include the New Jersey Half Marathon at Newport, NYCRUNS Falling Leaves Half Marathon, NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon, and NYCRUNS Central Park Half Marathon.
Please fill out this form if you are eligible.
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 6/26 | $72 | $80 |
Through 8/11 | $81 | $90 |
Through 9/5 | $90 | $100 |
Through 10/09 | $99 | $110 |
Until Online Registration Ends | $112.50 | $125 |
5K | Members | Non-Members |
Through 6/26 | $41.50 | $45 |
Through 8/11 | $45 | $50 |
Through 9/5 | $49.50 | $55 |
Through 10/09 | $54. | $60 |
Until Online Registration Ends | $58.50 | $65 |
Mass transit is always the best way to get to NYCRUNS events.
Getting to the Start & Festival Area - If you need to check your gear 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 and the start is a short walk to Well House Drive.
The closest subway stations to the Festival Area & The Start are the B/Q at Prospect Park or the F/G at 15th St-Prospect Park. The B68 to Prospect Park Southwest/11th Avenue or the B16 to Ocean Ave/Lincoln Road are the closest stops if taking the bus. There are also Citi Bike stations at Prospect Park Southwest/16th Street and Lincoln Road/Ocean Avenue.
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.
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.