Brooklyn Half Marathon Tips from a Run Coach
By Marnie Kunz, NASM-certified trainer, USATF- RRCA-certified run coach
These Brooklyn Half Marathon tips will help you conquer your big race in Brooklyn. As a Brooklyn runner, I’ve run the NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon several times, and my lifetime half marathon PR is on this course! I am sharing my top course tips and strategies to help you conquer the Brooklyn Half Marathon, so you have an incredible race experience. Before we get started, let’s clarify that there are two Brooklyn Half Marathons - one hosted by New York Road Runners (NYRR) and one hosted by NYCRuns. I am including tips and insights on both courses for this article so you can read the sections that apply to your race.
Related Post: NYC Half Marathon Guide
Half Marathon Training Tips
To run your best half marathon, you’ll need to do regular base runs and weekly long runs. These essential training runs will build your endurance so you can go the distance on race day. If you’re an intermediate runner, add speed training - tempo runs and intervals - to your training schedule so you can get faster and improve your race pace.
If you need a personalized half-marathon training program, head to the Runstreet Training Center. Our top half marathon training programs include our 12-week intermediate half marathon training program or a customized training plan.
Related Post: 15 Best Half Marathons in the World
Photo by Marques Jackson Photography.
NYRR RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon Tips
The NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon was the only Brooklyn Half Marathon for years. The popular race is one of the biggest half marathons in the world, with over 20,000 runners participating every year. The race is not easy to get into, so mark your calendar alerts and follow NYRR for race announcements to register as soon as the race is open.
Route: Prospect Park loop and then straight down Ocean Parkway to the finish line on the Coney Island boardwalk. The race start is located near Eastern Parkway, on Washington Avenue. The course passes Grand Army Plaza on the north side of Prospect Park. Runners do a loop of the park and then exit at the southwest corner onto Ocean Parkway, which continues for a long, straight stretch until Coney Island. The exit from the park is at the 7-mile mark. Most of the hills on the course are in the Prospect Park loop. There are some gently sloping hills on Ocean Parkway, but overall, the second half of the race is pretty flat, with the 6 miles to the finish line straight down Ocean Parkway. Prospect Park’s hills in the first part of the race are the most challenging part of the course.
Date: A Saturday in mid-May every year.
If you’re running the NYRR Brooklyn Half, prepare for a big crowd, lots of cheering support, and a fun finish on Coney Island. The main hilly parts of the course are in the first half, as you run the Prospect Park loop.
Related Post: Free Half Marathon Training Plan for Beginners
Insider Course Tips:
Brooklyn Half Marathon Tips for the First Half of the Race
Resist the temptation to go out too fast even though there will be lots of cheering and excitement. There will be quite a few turns the first few miles of the race, so try to get a position where you can turn easily without getting boxed in. First you will go downhill on Washington Avenue and then make a right turn on Empire Boulevard followed by another quick right turn on Flatbush Avenue.
This is where you’ll hit your first uphill, from Flatbush Avenue to Grand Army Plaza. Aim to stay relaxed and tackle the hill without using too much energy, as you’re only on the second mile of the race. You’ll turn left at Grand Army Plaza and run back down Flatbush Avenue to Ocean Avenue. Stay relaxed on this downhill section and allow your body to float down the hill.
Once you hit the southwest corner of Prospect Park, you’ll do a sharp right turn to climb back up into the park. From mile 3.5 to just past mile 5, you’ll tackle some uphill sections of the course. Aim to maintain a steady pace for this portion of the race, driving your arms to help you on the hills.
As you tackle the hills, focus on maintaining good running form, leaning slightly forward and using your arms in a forward driving motion to help you tackle the ascending elevation. Concentrate on your running form, and don’t allow your arms or legs to go side to side, which will waste energy.
A great playlist will also help you stay motivated and focused on these challenging stretches. Once you get to the top of Prospect Park, just past mile 5, you’ll veer left and head downhill. At mile 6, you’ll follow the loop left and continue going down rolling hills. Use this downhill section to speed up a little, allowing gravity to carry you. Save some energy for the second half of the race.
Brooklyn Half Marathon Tips for the Second Half of the Race
The last 6 miles of the course are pretty flat and very straight along Ocean Parkway. The runners spread out more in this section, and you’ll have space to settle into a nice groove. The challenge for this section of the race is mental as it is somewhat monotonous, on the same street with similar looking surroundings.
Pay attention to your pacing for this section of the race, and challenge yourself by picking people you want to pass. This will keep your mind occupied while improving your pace. If you feel spent by the second half of the race, hang in. Take a few deep breaths and use some mantras to focus on how strong you are.
A positive mindset will be your biggest ally for the second half of the race. Visualizing a successful finish and your goal time as the finish will also help you stay motivated. The Coney Island finish line is the best part of the race, with the unique backdrop of the boardwalk and a roaring crowd. Let this energy push you to the finish.
NYCRuns Brooklyn Half Marathon Tips
I love running along the Brooklyn waterfront. Photo by Marques Jackson.
The NYCRuns Brooklyn Half Marathon is a newer Brooklyn half marathon that offers a scenic course along the Brooklyn waterfront. This race also has over 20,000 runners, making it a popular option for a spring half marathon. Here are my top Brooklyn Half Marathon tips and strategies for the NYCRuns course:
Route: The race start area is in Williamsburg, North Brooklyn, by McCarren Park. The route follows the scenic Brooklyn waterfront for the first half of the race. Runners pass along Franklin Avenue in Greenpoint to Kent Avenue in Williamsburg. The race course then goes under the Williamsburg Bridge and follows Flushing Avenue along the Brooklyn Navy Yard. After mile 4, runners hit Dumbo, running along Front Street past the scenic Brooklyn bridges of the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge. You’ll see epic Manhattan skyline views in Dumbo, and then turn right on Fulton Street to Flatbush Avenue. Then, the course hits some uphill sections on Flatbush Avenue and around Prospect Park. The finish line is on Center Drive in the middle of Prospect Park.
Date: Usually the last Sunday in April.
Related Post: Tips for Running Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo
Insider Course Tips:
Brooklyn Half Marathon Tips for the First Half of the Race
The first half mile is moderately uphill, so keep your energy and start conservatively. Most of the first half of the race is pretty flat so try to reign in your excitement and maintain a steady pace that won’t use up too much energy. As with the other Brooklyn Half, the cheering spectators will be all along the course, making it a fun race. Just be careful not to get too caught up in the excitement and refrain from going out too fast.
Brooklyn Half Marathon Tips for the Second Half of the Race
You’ll start hitting the biggest uphill stretches on miles 7 and 8 so make sure you’re properly fueled and have energy to tackle them. The water station at the 10K mark is a great place to rehydrate and fuel, and also take some fuel at the beginning of the race so your digestion has time to get the energy out for the second half of the run.
Overall, the NYCRuns Brooklyn Half Marathon is not a very hilly course, but the stretch on Flatbush Avenue is quite a climb so you’ll want to have energy in the tank to tackle it. Also, be prepared for some jockeying for position in the first few miles of the race, which is where it will be most crowded. Try to find a position that gives you room without getting caught on the outsides of turns.
Once you hit Grand Army Plaza and head into the park, you’ll have mostly downhill stretches to the finish for miles 12 and 13. Tap into your speed training for a fast finish, and use the power of gravity to help you coast down the hills in the park.
Slay Your Next Half Marathon
Running a race without a training plan is like going on a trip without a map - it will be much harder and you’ll be a lot less likely to hit your goal pace without a plan. Need a half marathon training program to help you slay the streets of Bk or another race? Head to the Runstreet Training Center for free workouts and paid custom plans from me, a Brooklyn running coach and personal trainer.
For more training tips and to get cheered on in your workouts, follow and tag @Runstreet on Instagram and sign up for our free Wellness Wednesday newsletter for fitness deals, coaching tips, and NYC event info.
Happy running to you!
Related Post: Half Marathon Training Guide, How to Do Mile Repeats to Get Faster
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified personal trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Marnie likes helping people get and stay active to enjoy a better quality of life. When she’s not doing fitness things, Marnie enjoys exploring with her dog, a mischievous rescue Akita.
