More than 28,000 people will race from Prospect Park to Coney Island during the New York Road Runners’ RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon on Saturday, May 17, passing through some of the borough’s most iconic landmarks on the way.
The race started in 1981 as a fairly modest affair. Four decades later, it’s one of the largest half marathons in the country and one of NYRR’s best-known races.
“The RBC Brooklyn Half has been New York Road Runners’ flagship Brooklyn race since 1981 and is a highlight of our year-round presence in the borough,” said NYRR CEO Rob Simmelkjaer, in a statement. “In addition to hosting six annual races that run in Brooklyn, we offer free and accessible programming across the borough as part of our vision of building healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.”
Brooklyn Paper has put together a guide of everything you need to know about the race, from road closures to cheer zones and more!
Who’s running?
There are almost 30,000 people registered for the race, not counting another 1,000 young runners taking part in the youth Boardwalk Kids Run near the finish line, and this year’s Brooklyn Half has attracted a few stars.
“Dancing With the Stars” pro Alan Bersten, who danced with Olympian Ilona Maher last season, will take part, running his first-ever race to fundraise for the NYRR Team for Kids. He’ll be joined by reality TV star Matt James — who’s hosting the Love at First Bite Food Fest after the race — and Broadway star and TV actress Patina Miller.
But perhaps even more important are the local runners. Ryan Cutter, who won the RBC Brooklyn Half last year, is returning to the race as part of the NYRR Team for Climate.
Brooklynite Jaclyn Keely is also making her triumphant return after being diagnosed with lung cancer last fall. The illness temporarily derailed Keely’s marathon-running abilities — but she’s ready to return after having half of a lung removed. And one longtime NYRR member, Larry Sillen — who has been volunteering with the org since before the Brooklyn Half was even created — is taking to the course at 80 years old.
Where can I watch?
There are two official cheer zones along the 13.1 mile course. The New Balance Cheer Zone will be set up near Mile 10, on Ocean Parkway between Gravesend Neck Road and Avenue W, and the RBC Cheer Zone will be closer to the end, just before runners turn onto the boardwalk, at the corner of Surf Avenue and West 10th Street.
Of course, locals can also come out and cheer along any part of the course they please.
Spectators aren’t limited to the cheer zones, though, and can line up to watch and encourage runners all along the course — which loops through Prospect Park, onto Grand Army Plaza, and down Ocean Parkway all the way down to Coney Island.
If you’re watching a loved one and hoping to meet up after the race, runner tracking is available on the NYRR app. The org suggests choosing a meeting point ahead of time, since cell service tends to get overwhelmed near the finish line. Runners and their loved ones can meet up and celebrate at the RBC Brooklyn Half After Party at Maimonides Park between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
What streets are closed, and when?
The first wave of runners will start the race at 7 a.m. on Washington Avenue, near the Brooklyn Museum, and subsequent waves will take off at 7:25 a.m., 7:50 a.m., and 8:15 a.m.
They’ll run down Washington Avenue, cut into Prospect Park on Flatbush, loop through Grand Army Plaza, and run back through the park until they exit onto Ocean Parkway. Then, they’ll head south on Ocean Parkway all the way to Surf Avenue. From there, they turn again onto West 10th Street, then onto Riegelmann Boardwalk.
To make way for the course, many streets will be closed on Saturday, and no parking signs will begin to appear on Thursday. We’ve compiled a list of road closures on May 17, plus information about parking:
- Eastern Parkway from Grand Army Plaza to Bedford Avenue — 12 a.m.-12:30 p.m., parking prohibited starting Thursday, May 15 at 6 a.m.
- President and Union streets from Classon Avenue to Franklin Avenue — 12 a.m.-12:30 p.m., parking prohibited starting Friday, May 16, at 6 a.m.
- Washington Avenue from Eastern Parkway to Empire Boulevard — 12 a.m.-12:30 p.m, parking prohibited starting Saturday, May 17, at 12 a.m.
- Empire Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Flatbush Avenue — 6 a.m.-10:30 a.m., parking prohibited starting Friday, May 16 at 4 p.m.
- Flatbush Avenue from empire Boulevard to Grand Army Plaza — 6 a.m.-10:30 a.m., parking prohibited starting Saturday, May 17 at 4 p.m.
- Ocean Avenue from Flatbush Avenue to Parkside Avenue — 6 a.m.-11 a.m, parking prohibited starting Saturday, May 17 at 4 p.m.
- Parkside Avenue from Ocean Avenue to Park Circle — 6 a.m.-11:30 a.m., parking prohibited starting Saturday, May 17 at 4 pm.
- Ocean Parkway from Park Circle to Surf Avenue — 6 a.m.-12 p.m., parking prohibited starting Friday, May 16 at 4 p.m.
- West Brighton Avenue from Ocean Parkway to West 2nd Street — 3 a.m.-1 p.m., parking prohibited starting Saturday, May 17 at 12 a.m.
- Sea Breeze Avenue from West 5th Street to Ocean Parkway — 3 a.m.-1 p.m, parking prohibited starting Saturday, May 17 at 12 a.m.
- West 5th Street from Surf Avenue to West Brighton Avenue — 3 a.m.-1 p.m., parking prohibited starting Saturday, May 17 at 12 a.m.
- Surf Avenue from Ocean Parkway to West 20th Street — 7 a.m.-1 p.m., parking prohibited starting Friday, May 16 at 4 p.m.
- West 10th Street from Surf Avenue to the boardwalk — 12 a.m.-1 p.m., parking prohibited starting Friday, May 16 at 12 a.m.
- Stillwell Avenue from Surf Avenue to the boardwalk — 12 a.m.-1 p.m., parking prohibited starting Friday, May 16 at 12 a.m.
- West 12th Street from Surf Avenue to the boardwalk — 12 a.m.-1 p.m., parking prohibited starting Friday, May 16 at 12 a.m.
- West 15th Street from Surf Avenue to the boardwalk — 12 a.m.-1 p.m., parking prohibited starting Friday, May 16 at 12 a.m.
- West 16th Street from Surf Avenue to the boardwalk — 12 a.m.-1 p.m., parking prohibited starting Friday, May 16 at 12 a.m.
Impacts to public transit
The race will also impact some subway routes. From 4 a.m.-9 a.m. on May 17, the 2 and 3 trains will skip the Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn stop in both directions. Due to planned station improvements, the 4 train will also be skipping all stops between Bowling Green in Manhattan and Crown Heights-Utica Avenue/New Lots Avenue in Brooklyn.
Several bus routes will also be impacted by road closures, and local commuters can check mta.info, select their bus route, and May 17 for more information.
