The Start of the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon is a high security zone. In coordination with our city agency partners, streets will be closed and barriers erected around the entire Start Area. For the best race day experience, please follow the arrival timeline and instructions below. Arrive only during your designated Start Wave arrival window. You’ll need to show your race bib and pass through a metal detector to gain entry.
The NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon Start Area is located in McCarren Park and the streets immediately surrounding, on the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The Start Line is on Manhattan Avenue. The Start Area Entrance for all runners is located at North 12th St. & Bedford Ave. This is the only entrance for runners on race morning. Only runners with bibs can enter the Start Area.
Arrive at the North 12th St. & Bedford Ave. security entrance only during the time window for your assigned wave. Once the corral’s close for your wave, you’ll be walked forward as a group to the start line to await your wave start.
WAVE 1: Arrive between 5:30 AM – 6:15 AM (7:00 AM Start)
WAVE 2: Arrive between 6:40 AM – 7:10 AM (7:40 AM Start)
WAVE 3: Arrive between 7:20 AM – 7:50 AM (8:20 AM Start)
WAVE 4: Arrive between 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM (9:00 AM Start)
WAVE 5: Arrive between 8:50 AM – 9:20 AM (9:40 AM Start)
*Note – Handcycle/Wheelchair Athletes will be notified via email as to when and where to arrive for the Start.
There will be five (5) Start Waves, each with six (6) Corrals, lettered A through F. Your wave and corral assignments were made using the pace listed in your NYCRUNS Dashboard Profile. Paces are spread out in all the wave starts. Your wave and corral assignment can be found in the Upcoming Races section of your NYCRUNS Dashboard, as can details about your Run With Friends group, if you’re in one. Wave and corral assignments can’t be changed.
We strongly recommend that you take the subway on race morning. Due to road closures, traffic will be heavy and street parking will be difficult.
You can take the L to Bedford Avenue or the G to Metropolitan Avenue. It's best to avoid taking the G to Nassau Avenue, as street closures and security barriers will make it difficult to walk from there to the Start Area entrance. Check MTA.info for the most current mass transit schedule details.
If you’re getting a ride, use Meeker Avenue between Frost Street & Graham Avenue as your target destination. Vehicles won’t be able to get any closer and it’s a short walk to the Start Area entrance from there.
You will not be able to check a bag on race morning. You can only check a bag at the pre-race Expo. Bags checked at the Expo will be available at the Bag Check Pick Up in the Festival Area in Prospect Park after you complete the race. Visit the EXPO section for more details.
You will not be able to pick up your bib (or shirt) on race morning. If you didn’t have your bib and shirt mailed to you at home, you’ll need to pick them both up at the pre-race Expo. Visit the EXPO section for more details.
The Prospect Park Track Club will be providing pacers for athletes looking to run between 1:30 – 3:00 (separated by 5-minute intervals). Pacers will spread out in all Waves and Corrals and will be holding a sign with the pace time they'll be running.
No bags, backpacks, selfie sticks, flag poles, portable speakers, or weighted vests will be allowed through security. Weapons of any kind, flammable liquids, fireworks, toxic chemicals, glass containers, alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, or any other items that are deemed hazardous or dangerous to runners, spectators, or event staff are strictly prohibited and will be confiscated.
You can run with a hydration vest and/or fuel belt with water containers of 1 liter or less. Hydration vests can only be used with water stored in the front pockets/holders and not with a rear bladder.
We’ll have clothing collection bins available in the Start Corrals for any extra layers of clothing you want to leave behind. All clothing collected will be donated to charity. We'll also have a "last drop" collection bin at first water station after Mile 1.
You’ll have access to bathrooms and water in the Start Area, both in the Pre-Start Waiting Area and the Start Corrals.
If you’re in need of medical attention, we can help you at the Medical Tent in the Pre-Start Waiting Area.
You’re welcome to use the Lactation Tent next to the Medical Tent in the Pre-Start Waiting Area. If you want to transfer your lactation pump to the finish (we can’t transfer milk), please drop it off at the Medical Tent when you’re ready. You can retrieve your pump after you finish at the Medical Tent in the Festival Area.
If you have medication or medical equipment that needs to be transferred from the Start to the Finish, please drop it off at the Medical Tent in the Pre-Start Waiting Area and then retrieve it at the Medical Tent in the Festival Area after you finish. Medication that needs to be refrigerated can't be transported.