Start

The Start of the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon is a high security area. 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 timeline instructions below and arrive only during your designated Start Wave arrival window. Factor in your travel time and be prepared to enter the Start Area through security, which includes passing through a metal detector. You’ll need to show your race bib to gain entry.

START AREA MAP

Start Area

The 2025 NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon begins where the neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Greenpoint meet. The Start Area is located in McCarren Park and the streets immediately surrounding. The Start Line is on Manhattan Avenue, just past Nassau Avenue.

The Start Area Entrance is located at NORTH 12TH STREET AND BEDFORD AVENUE. That’s where you’ll go on race morning. There are no other entry points.

Getting To The Start

We strongly recommend that you take public transit to the Start. Due to road closures, traffic will be heavy and street parking will be difficult. 

Take the L train to Bedford Avenue or the G train to Metropolitan Avenue. We recommend not 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.

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.

Bag Check Won't Be Available At The Start  

You will not be able to check a bag on race morning. You can check a bag at the pre-race Expo. Bags checked at the Expo will be available at the Bag Check Pick Up Area on Well House Drive in Prospect Park after you complete the race. Visit the EXPO section for more details 

Bibs & Shirts Won't Be Available For Pick Up At The Start

Bibs and shirts will not be distributed on race morning. If you didn’t arrange to have your bib and shirt mailed to you at home, you’ll need to pick them up prior to race day at the race week Expo. Visit the EXPO section section for more details. 

Wave & Corral Assignment

Your Start Wave is the large group of runners you’ll start the race with. There will be four (4) waves, each with lettered corrals (AA-F). Both your wave and corral assignments are based on the pace you selected in your runner profile on your NYCRUNS Dashboard. Once you receive your wave and corral assignment, it can’t be changed. You can check your Wave and Corral assignments on your NYCRUNS Dashboard under Upcoming Races. Your Wave and Corral assignments will also be noted on your race bib. 

Wave Arrival & Start Times

Please arrive at the North 12th Street 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 5:15 AM – 6:00 AM (corrals close at 6:20 AM for 7:00 AM start)

• WAVE 2 - Arrive between 6:00 AM – 6:45 AM (corrals close at 7:10 AM for 7:30 AM start)

• WAVE 3 - Arrive between 6:45 AM – 7:20 AM (corrals close at 7:50 AM for 8:05 AM start)

• WAVE 4 - Arrive between 7:20 AM – 8:00 AM (corrals close at 8:30 AM for 8:40 AM start)

Pacer Groups

The Prospect Park Track Club will be providing pacers for athletes looking to run between 1:30 – 3:00. Pacers will start from all four waves, in various corrals, and will be holding a sign with the pace time they'll be running.

Prohibited Items

No bags, backpacks, 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.

Hydration Vests, Fuel Belts, and Water Bottles

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. 

Clothing Donation Bins

We’ll have clothing collection bins available for any extra layers of clothing you want to leave behind. All clothing collected will be donated to charity.

Bathrooms & Pre-Race Hydration

You’ll have access to bathrooms and water in the Start Area, both in the Pre-Start Waiting Area and along the Start Corrals.

Medical Support

If you’re in need of medical attention, we can help you at the Medical Tent in the Pre-Start Waiting Area.

Lactation 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.

Transferring Medical Items To The Finish

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.