The NYCRUNS Frozen Pigeon 5K is the perfect way to kick off your 2027 running year. The weather may be a bit chilly, but Prospect Park will be all fired up with a few thousand runners. Whether you're training for a spring marathon or just looking for a reason to get outside during the winter months, this picturesque run around Prospect Park will get you all warmed up. And you'll earn a cool looking FINISHER MEDAL too!
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The 5K course is just under one full loop of the park, with a final sprint up Center Drive to the Finish. All NYCRUNS courses are USATF-certified.
5K Course Map | USATF Certification
Located in the Nethermead, the Festival Area opens at 7:00 AM and can be accessed via Center Drive or the walking paths off Well House Drive. If you need to pick up your bib, pick up your shirt, check a bag, or have a question, please head to the Festival Area prior to the race. The race finishes on Center Drive which takes you right back to the Festival Area in the Nethermead.
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. The Start Corrals are located on Well House Drive.
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) - Portable bathrooms will be available in the Festival Area and on the course.
Hydration - Water will be available on the course.
Post Race Refreshments - We’ll be there after you cross the Finish Line with refueling options including water, Gatorade, an apple, and our Brooklyn's best bagel (with a schmear, of course).
Participant Shirt (distribution begins at 7:00 AM) - Every runner will receive an official race tech shirt which will 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 shirt before the race.
Finisher Medal - A "cool" looking finisher medal will be waiting for you when you complete the race.
Photos – During the registration process, you can pre-purchase a discounted photo package at checkout. Following the race, you’ll receive an email with a link to your race photo gallery. All NYCRUNS events include a free photo. The eligible image will be identified and labeled as “Free Download” in your gallery. Simply select the Free Download banner on the photo to begin the download process. You can also view your photos after the race by visiting the MarathonFoto website, selecting your race, and searching by your bib number.
You can pick up your 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 this free bib mailing benefit. 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: For NYCRUNS members and non-members, 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. Shirts are not mailed with bibs.
Mass transit is always the best way to get to NYCRUNS events. It's a good idea to check MTA.info on race day for any mass transit updates. The closest subway stations to the Festival Area and 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 you're taking the bus. There are also Citi Bike stations at Prospect Park Southwest/16th Street and Lincoln Road/Ocean Avenue. Parking is limited around the park but if you're getting a ride, use 101 Prospect Park Southwest as your drop off point.
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.
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 (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. Registration closes the day before the race, or earlier if maximum capacity is reached.
| Date | Members | Non-Members |
| Early Bird Pricing through May 31 | $35 | $35 |
| Through November 9 | $45 | $50 |
| Through December 7 | $49.50 | $55 |
| Through December 28 | $54 | $60 |
| Through January 11 | $58.50 | $65 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $67.50 | $75 |
NYCRUNS members can qualify for the NYCRUNS Local Elite Athlete Race Entry Program and earn future complimentary entry into all NYCRUNS events (with the exception of the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon) for a one-year period from the date of the race where qualification is achieved. A limited number of complimentary entries will be available for each race that qualified runners can secure on a first-come basis.
This is a qualifying race for the NYCRUNS Local Elite Athlete Race Entry Program. Qualifying guidelines are as follows:
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.
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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.