More than 20,000 runners have registered to complete the 13.1-mile Brooklyn Half Marathon Sunday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event starts in Greenpoint, kicking off on Bedford Avenue adjacent to McCarren Park. The scenic route includes sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline as it works its way down Brooklyn’s waterfront, then heads southeast through historic neighborhoods to Grand Army Plaza, before running east and then back west on Eastern Parkway and ending in Prospect Park.
Sunset Park resident Larsen Gable has only been running for a year but signed up for what will be his first half-marathon. He said he’s a little nervous, but is looking forward to a picturesque run.
“Having the closed streets, being able to run down and see all of the East River and all of Manhattan, that is pretty spectacular,” he said.
Click here for a map of the route.
How does the weather look?
The weather looks like it will be decent for running, and even a bit hot. After a cooler Saturday with temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s, Sunday’s temperatures will hover around the mid to upper 70s, according to the National Weather Service’s New York office.
Runners are likely to work up a sweat, but there will be some cloud cover, according to NWS meteorologist Bryan Ramsey, who is himself a casual runner.
“I would say ideal temperatures for running are probably closer to the 50s, lower 60s. Once you get to the 70s, you’re going to be sweating a bit. It’s better than running on Monday though!” Ramsey said. “We will have cloud cover — anywhere from mostly cloudy to partly cloudy skies — through the weekend before becoming a little sunnier on Monday.”
It’s also expected to be a dry race day, though there is a very slim chance of rain early Sunday morning, Ramsey said. Humidity during the day is expected to be at 35% to 40% Sunday, and wind will be mild at 5 to 10 miles per hour.
Where can I watch?
According to marathon organizers NYC RUNS, the best spots to watch are near the Williamsburg Bridge, Cadman Plaza, Barclays Center Plaza and Eastern Parkway Malls, where you can watch runners pass the same spot twice. Organizers advise against going to see athletes at Grand Army Plaza, Bartel Prichard or the final turn in Prospect Park, since those areas tend to be congested and spectator access may be restricted.
Finish line access is restricted to those with Finish Line Access Passes, which are already sold out online. For those cheering on a friend or family member, there is a family reunion space inside the park, adjacent to the finish line but NYC RUNS recommends reuniting with runners outside of the park.
What about road closures and other changes?
Streets along the route will be closed to traffic and parking as runners take over the pavement. The NYC RUNS website has A detailed list of parking rules and road closures with times is available here.
Some Citi Bike stations will also be closed, Citi Bike said on social media.
Correction: A previous version of this story contained an image that showed the incorrect race. The image has been replaced.
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