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Tens of thousands of runners set to cross Brooklyn Bridge in NYC Half debut

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Mar 5, 2025

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The 2024 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon is held in New York City. The course starts in Brooklyn and ends in Central Park in Manhattan.

 

Roy Rochlin/New York Road Runners via Getty Images

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Mar 5, 2025

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New Yorkers should prepare for major street closures and thousands of runners as the New York Road Runners’ United Airlines NYC Half takes over parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan on Sunday, March 16.

The race, which will feature 27,000 runners, is making history this year by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time — a change from its usual route over the Manhattan Bridge, which is unavailable due to construction. It's a move that organizers said will hopefully become permanent going forward.

The 13.1-mile race starts near the Brooklyn Museum, winds through Prospect Park and Flatbush Avenue, and then crosses the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan before heading through Times Square and finishing in Central Park. Times Square is only closed to traffic twice a year, so expect detours if you're driving or commuting in the area.

Moving a half-marathon that’ll draw runners and spectators across the Brooklyn Bridge was no easy feat because of the sheer volume of work needed to figure out how both participants and those commuting over the bridge would be able to get to where they need to be that day.

“A little bit of experience, a lot of skill and tremendous participation helps facilitate it. But I also think seeing people of all ages and all abilities out there running does tend to inspire people,” Race Director Ted Metellus said in an interview.

Metellus said he’s most excited to see the race's turnout.

“It’s now an opportunity to interface and engage with other people,” he said. “With folks working from home, and people not really interacting the way they did prior to, there are run clubs that run weekly and it’s an opportunity for people you meet weekly and set a goal: ‘I want to run the United Airlines Half Marathon.'”

What this means for your commute

With thousands of runners and spectators expected, several major streets will be closed or restricted, especially in Downtown Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan and Midtown. The Brooklyn Bridge will remain open to vehicles, but pedestrian and cycling access may be affected.

The MTA has not announced subway changes yet, but trains running near the route — like the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, F and R lines — could experience extra crowding, especially early in the morning.

Streets will begin closing early Sunday morning and NYPD officers will be stationed along the course to manage crowds. If you need to drive through these areas, plan for delays or find an alternate route.

Who’s running?

Alongside thousands of New Yorkers and amateur runners, the race will also include some of the world’s top professional distance runners, including Olympians and defending champions.

This year’s field includes:

City agencies will also be competing in the Commissioner’s Cup, a friendly competition between city workers, including teams from NYPD, FDNY, the MTA and the parks department.

Kids race and other events

For families, there’s also the Times Square Kids Run, where 1,500 kids ages 2 to 18 will get the chance to race through Times Square on a closed course.

How to watch or avoid the race

The race starts at 7 a.m. with the first wave of runners expected to arrive at 6:10 a.m.

If you want to watch, the best viewing spots will be along Flatbush Avenue, Times Square or near the finish in Central Park.

If you want to avoid it, plan around major street closures and expect extra foot traffic in Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

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Giulia Heyward

Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.

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