

Tune out the other runners and focus on your effort and how you feel, maintaining a steady effort. Run smart and don’t go out too hard as you’ll need energy to conquer Manhattan. The Brooklyn portion of the race can whirl by quickly, with the excitement of the crowd and quite a few downhill stretches. Here are some tips to help you run a strong race and enjoy the NYC Half experience:įocus on a steady effort. The main uphill sections of the race are in the middle and second half of the course, when you hit a gradual uphill on FDR Drive and in Times Square in Manhattan as well as some rolling hills toward the end of the race in Central Park. You will have a lot of downhill sections in Brooklyn until almost mile 5 when you hit the Manhattan Bridge, so this is a time to hold back to prevent getting too excited and using up all your energy early in the race. The race is challenging with quite a few rolling and gradual hills in Manhattan.

The iconic 13.1-mile route begins in Brooklyn in Prospect Park, crosses the Manhattan Bridge, passes through Times Square, and ends in Central Park.

Prepare before the race by looking over the NYC Half Marathon route map. Use the MTA route planner or public transit app to help plan your race day transit. Using restrooms, subway delays, and other issues can arise, so leave at least a half hour earlier than what your estimated route time says. Layers are usually a good bet for the NYC Half Marathon as March is generally a cool, windy, and sometimes cold time of year in the city.Īlso, make sure you plan out your transit and give yourself extra time to get to the start line. Make sure you check the weather forecast (it changes quickly in NYC) and dress accordingly. Opt for some bland carb-heavy foods like a bagel with peanut butter or oatmeal with fruit and chia.

Don’t try new foods or eat a heavy breakfast as your pre-race excitement can slow down your digestion. Eat the breakfast food that you’re used to having before a long run.
