January weather in NYC is fit for penguins. It's also fit for runners of all levels. Since 2014 we've been kicking off the new year with our popular Frozen Penguin event in Central Park. What better way to get your 2027 running season started than a picturesque run in the world's most famous park! Get your new year rolling with this super chill 5K and take home a super cool FINISHER MEDAL!
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The course begins near 89th Street on West Drive, heads south before turning at 72nd Street, then north up East Drive before finishing on the 102nd Street Crossing. There will be a hydration station and bathrooms just before Mile 2. Medical assistance will be available throughout the course.
All NYCRUNS courses are USATF-certified.
5K Course Map (2026 course) | USATF certification
NYCRUNS uses a pace-based corral system. Start Corrals are assigned by letter, AA-F. Your Start Corral assignment will be noted on your bib (see Bib Distribution below). Please be in your start corral no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the race. Corral assignments are based on the pace indicated in your NYCRUNS Dashboard under Profile. You can update your pace at any time.
Bag Check (opens at 7:00 AM) - If you plan on checking gear, you'll have to use a single clear bag, which we'll provide (18" x 24") if you don't have one. All items must fit inside one clear bag. For security reasons, NYCRUNS reserves the right to search the contents in your bag at any time.
Bathrooms (available at 7:00AM) - Bathrooms will be available near the start, on the course, and at the finish.
Hydration - Water will be available near the start and on the course with water and electrolyte fluids available at the finish.
Post Race Eats - Our signature bagel options - everything, plain, cinnamon raisin (with a schmear, of course), and a tasty NY State apple will be available for you after the race.
Participant Shirt (distribution begins at 7:00 AM) - The giveaway for this race will be a super cool race singlet, because Penguins don't need sleeves! The singlets can be picked up on race day only. In order to cut down on waste, we try not to over order and sizes are not guaranteed. If you have your heart set on a size, we recommend picking up your singlet before the race.
Finisher Medal - A "cool" looking finisher medal will be waiting for you when you complete the race.
Photos - You'll receive an email from MarathonFoto a few days after the race to claim your free race photos.
You can pick up your bib in the Festival Area on race day beginning at 7:00 AM. Bibs are only available for pick up on race day. You’ll need to show your unique QR code to pick up your bib. Your QR code will be available the week of the race on your NYCRUNS Dashboard under Upcoming Races (we'll also send it to you in a pre-race email). The QR code can be added to your Apple Wallet.
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 the free bib mailing benefit immediately. If you're not a NYCRUNS Member, you can still have your bib mailed to you by adding it at checkout for an additional $25.
NOTE: Bibs can only be mailed if you register 20 days or more before the date of the event and can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address. Participant shirts are not mailed with bibs.
Mass transit is always the best way to get to the race. Check MTA Trip Planner for up-to-date schedule information.
The Festival Area 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. Enter the park at 102nd St. and Central Park West. 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. Enter the park at 102nd St. and 5th Ave.
To go directly to the Start, take the B or C trains to 86th St. or the M10 bus to 90th St. Enter the park at 90th St. and Central Park West. The Start Corrals are on West Drive at 89th St.
We welcome Handcycle Division and Wheelchair Division athletes at this race as well as the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon 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 should arrive at bib pick-up 90 minutes before the start of the race and must be at the Start Line (ahead of the Start Corrals) ready to race at least 30 minutes prior to the race start time.
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 (by gun time). 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): 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.
**Early Bird Pricing - This offer can't be combined with race credit and/or member discount. Available while supplies last.
When Early Bird Pricing ends, 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.
| Date | Members | Non-Members |
| **Early Bird Pricing through May 31 | $35 | $35 |
| Through October 14 | $40 | $50 |
| Through November 18 | $44 | $55 |
| Through December 16 | $48 | $60 |
| Through January 4 | $52 | $65 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $60 | $75 |
The free NYCRUNS Events App provides real-time tracking of every runner at every race and has lots of other useful info too. You and your friends and family can easily download the app at the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Share your race day journey on social and tag @nycruns on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
#NYCRUNS #FrozenPenguin5K #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. The use of celebratory confetti cannons is strictly prohibited. Please familiarize yourself with our complete Rules of Competition.
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.