RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon
Brooklyn's biggest race, from Prospect Park to the Coney Island boardwalk.
Brooklyn, New York
Mid-May
21.1 km
80 m
~27,000 athletes
Course Highlights
- Prospect Park loop start
- Flatbush Avenue through Brooklyn
- Ocean Parkway tree-lined boulevard
- Coney Island boardwalk finish
- Views of the Atlantic Ocean and amusement park
The Course
The Brooklyn Half Marathon starts inside Prospect Park, looping through the park's scenic roads past Long Meadow and the Boathouse before exiting onto Flatbush Avenue. The park section features some gentle rolling hills but is largely a warmup for what follows. Exiting the park, runners head south on Flatbush Avenue and Ocean Parkway, a long, straight, tree-lined boulevard.
The middle miles along Ocean Parkway are flat and fast, with the tree canopy providing some shade. This section rewards consistent pacing, as the boulevard stretches for several miles with a rhythm that can lull runners into a steady groove or, conversely, feel monotonous if mental preparation is lacking.
The course finishes with a memorable stretch along the Coney Island boardwalk. The final mile on the iconic wooden boardwalk, with views of the Atlantic Ocean, the amusement park rides, and the beach, provides a festive and unique finish. The combination of urban park, tree-lined boulevard, and beachfront makes this one of the most varied half marathon courses in the country.
History
The Brooklyn Half Marathon began in 1981 and has grown into the largest half marathon in the United States, with over 27,000 runners participating each year. Organized by New York Road Runners, it serves as both a standalone event and a popular tune-up race for the NYC Marathon.
The current point-to-point course from Prospect Park to Coney Island was established to showcase the best of Brooklyn, from its premier green space to its most famous beach neighborhood.
How to Train for Brooklyn Half
Prepare for heat
Mid-May in Brooklyn can bring temperatures into the 70s and 80s with humidity. Include warm-weather training runs in your preparation and practice your hydration strategy. Early miles in shaded Prospect Park can mask how hot it is getting.
Stay mentally engaged on Ocean Parkway
The long, straight stretch on Ocean Parkway can feel endless without mental strategies. Break it into mile-by-mile goals or use landmarks to stay focused. This is where the race is won or lost for many runners.
Practice on the boardwalk surface
The wooden boardwalk surface in the final mile is uneven and different from pavement. If possible, practice running on boardwalk or other wooden surfaces to avoid any surprises in the finishing stretch.
Free training plans
10K to half marathon
A free 10-week plan that takes you from 10K to your first half marathon: four runs a week and a long run that builds from 1 hour to almost 2.
10 weeksCouch to half marathon
A free 20-week plan from no running to a half marathon: eight weeks of run-walk, then three to four easy runs a week with a long run that grows to 2 hours.
20 weeksHalf marathon (12 weeks)
A free 12-week half marathon plan: five runs a week, a long run that builds to 1h 50m, recovery weeks at 4 and 8, a peak in week 10 and a two-week taper.
12 weeksSub-2 hour half marathon
A free 12-week plan to break 2 hours in the half marathon: five runs a week, goal-pace sessions at 5:41 per km (9:09 per mile) and long runs to 2 hours.
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