We like to joke that the weather in NYC this time of year is fit for penguins, but the truth is, it’s also fit for runners of all levels. Snag a new 5K or Half Marathon PR (the cold should motivate you!) to start the year! This race in Central Park is calling your name, Chilly Willy!
The half marathon begins on West Drive near 96th Street, completing two and a half loops of the park across 72nd Street and up Harlem Hill before finishing on the 102nd Street transverse. The 5K begins a bit further south and finishes in the same spot.
Half Marathon Course Map
5K Course Map
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 and fresh fruit will make up the usual great NYCRUNS post-race spread to replenish you at the finish line.
The giveaways for this race will be a tech shirt and medal. Photography will be available for purchase 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 thirty days or more 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 on race day no more than an hour before your start time.
If you need to switch distances, please do so on your NYCRUNS dashboard. You may only switch distances if the distance you are looking to switch to is not sold out. You may need to contact customer service or go to the Race Command tent on race day, if there is a difference in price. You also must pick up the appropriate distance bib on race day from the Bib Pick-Up tent. Runners who participate with a bib for an improper distance (i.e. you run the 5K with a Half Marathon bib or vice versa) will not be scored, eligible for awards, or appear in race results.
Shirts may be picked up on race day only. Sizes are not guaranteed. If you have your heart set on a size, we recommend picking up your shirt before the race.
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 9/28 | $72 | $80 |
| Through 11/15 | $81 | $90 |
| Through 12/13 | $90 | $100 |
| Through 12/27 | $99 | $110 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $112.50 | $125 |
| 5K | Members | Non-Members |
| Through 9/28 | $41.50 | $45 |
| Through 11/15 | $45 | $50 |
| Through 12/13 | $49.50 | $55 |
| Through 12/27 | $54 | $60 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $65 | $58.50 |
To get to the main festival area (for bib and shirt pickup and bag check), take the C train to 102nd St. or the 6 train to 103rd St. and enter the park. Race HQ 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, but no other amenities at this entrance.
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.