NYCRUNS is celebrating 15 years of racing!
Way back on June 15, 2011, the world changed (a tiny little bit) when NYCRUNS put on its first-ever race, a 5K aptly named “The Lousy T-Shirt Race.” 15 years later we’re still hosting races and giving away lousy T-shirts (and a lot of nice ones too)!
Join us as we celebrate our home borough with the NYCRUNS Lousy T-Shirt Race in Prospect Park.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit organization that sustains “Brooklyn’s Backyard,” working in partnership with the City of New York. The Alliance was founded in 1987 to help restore Prospect Park after a long period of deterioration and decline. Today, the Alliance provides critical staff and resources that keep the park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that call Brooklyn home.
The 5K course is comprised of just under one full loop of the park.
All NYCRUNS courses are USATF-certified.
Located in the Neathermead, The Festival Area can be accessed via Center Drive or the walking paths off Well House Drive. If you need to pick up your bib, check your gear, use the bathroom, have a question, or want to pick up your shirt before the race, please head to the Festival Area in the Nethermead prior to the race. The race finishes back at the Neathermead on Center Drive.
NYCRUNS uses a pace-based corral system. Your start corral is indicated by the letter printed on your bib, AA-F. You should be in your start corral no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the race. Corrals are based on the pace indicated in the Profile section of your NYCRUNS Dashboard. You can update your pace at any time. The Start Corrals are located on Wellhouse Drive off West Drive, a short walk from the Festival Area.
Bag Check (opens at 5:00 PM) - 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.
Bathrooms (open at 5:00 PM) - Portable bathrooms will be available throughout the event.
Hydration - Water and electrolyte fluids will be available on the course with electrolyte fluids and cans of smartwater at the finish.
Post Race Refreshments - After the race, you'll refuel with a refreshing ice pop, a crisp apple, and a nice salty bag of pretzels.
Swag (distribution begins at 5:00 PM) - All you get for running this race is a Lousy T-Shirt (it's actually kinda nice)! Shirts can only be picked up on race day. Just show your race QR code (see below for QR Code details) and bag your swag. 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 - 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 using your race QR code in the Festival Area on race day beginning at 5:00 PM. 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 30 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.
After you (and your crew) finish the 5K, head over to the Prospect Park Boathouse (just a short walk away) and enjoy a post-race, cool-down hang with a live DJ and a bunch of sweaty runners. Show your bib for a free brewski (for runners 21+) and join us in celebrating our 15th anniversary of putting on these crazy races!
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.
See chart below. NYCRUNS members receive a 30% 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 |
| Through 3/26 | $35 | $50 |
| Through 4/30 | $38.50 | $55 |
| Through 6/11 | $42 | $60 |
| Until Online Registration Ends | $52.50 | $75 |
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. 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.