The RBC Brooklyn Half is the borough's original half marathon and one of the largest in the country. Organised by New York Road Runners, the nonprofit behind the New York City Marathon, it is known as the unofficial kickoff to summer: with more than 30,000 finishers in a single year, it has become the largest half marathon in NYRR history.
There is no first-come, first-served registration any more: runners without guaranteed entry apply to a drawing during a short winter application window, and the places are drawn soon after it closes. Guaranteed entry is open to runners who volunteered, cancelled or ran six NYRR virtual races the year before, to time qualifiers, and through Team for Kids and international tour operators. For the official entry and all details, head to the RBC Brooklyn Half website.
Key dates
- Lottery WindowExpected Jan 2027
- Race dayMay 22, 2027
Windows are shown to the month until the organiser confirms them. Subscribers get the exact day, by email, on the morning it opens.
Don't miss the window. The Brooklyn Half Marathon lottery opens and closes quickly, and the dates shift slightly each year. Set up a BibsAlert and we'll email you the moment the lottery goes live.
How to enter the Brooklyn Half Marathon
The main way in is the drawing, but NYRR offers several ways to a guaranteed place.
1. Non-Guaranteed Entry Drawing (Lottery)
Runners who do not have guaranteed entry apply during the application window, and the drawing takes place within about a week of the close. Places are drawn in three separate pools: NYC metro area applicants (residents in and within 60 miles of New York City), national applicants (U.S. residents outside the NYC metro area, including Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories) and international applicants (non-U.S. residents). Handcycle and push-rim applicants also apply through the drawing. Entry costs $105.75 for NYRR members and $126.90 for non-members.
NYRR members whose membership is active the day before the application opens and stays active through drawing day are automatically entered into a Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing if they miss out in the general drawing. It takes place the same day, and winners are charged and registered automatically.
2. Guaranteed Entry
Several groups can claim guaranteed, non-complimentary entry through their NYRR dashboard during the guaranteed entry claim period, which runs alongside the drawing application:
- Runners who complete six NYRR virtual races at the Virtual 6 program rate during the previous calendar year
- Runners who volunteered at the previous year's race or expo
- Runners who cancelled their entry to the previous year's race by following the published instructions (runners who got in this way cannot cancel again and earn another guaranteed entry)
- Runners who met the NYRR time qualifying standards at NYRR's qualifying races
NYRR Philanthropic Members at the Miler, 5K and 10K levels also receive guaranteed entry as a membership benefit.
3. Time Qualifiers From Other Races
A limited number of places go to runners who met NYRR's time standards at a certified half marathon not held by NYRR. Applications open for a few days during the entry period. If there are more applicants than places, the fastest in each age and gender category get in, and the rest are moved into the drawing.
4. Team for Kids and Team for Climate
Join NYRR Team for Kids for guaranteed entry and expert coaching while raising funds for NYRR's free youth and community programs. Team for Kids runners commit to raising at least $750, on top of a $78 sign-up fee and the race entry fee. NYRR Team for Climate is another fundraising entry method, and its places can fill up.
5. International Tour Operators
Runners from outside the United States can secure guaranteed entry with a travel package, including flights and/or hotel, through one of NYRR's approved International Tour Operators.
The course
The RBC Brooklyn Half is a tour of the borough, from Prospect Park to the Coney Island boardwalk.
- Start: Next to the Brooklyn Museum
- Finish: The Coney Island boardwalk
- Distance: 21.0975 km (13.1 miles)
- Start Time: 7:00 a.m.
The course passes Grand Army Plaza and runs through Prospect Park before leaving the park for a long straightaway down Ocean Parkway towards Coney Island. The race finishes on the Coney Island boardwalk, where finishers receive a medal and a recovery bag. The After-Party follows at Maimonides Park, the baseball stadium home to the Brooklyn Cyclones, with live music, food and drinks.
Why run the Brooklyn Half Marathon?
- Brooklyn's original half marathon: more than four decades of history, and one of the largest half marathons in the country.
- A finish by the sea: the race ends on the Coney Island boardwalk, with the After-Party at Maimonides Park.
- A local crowd: about a fifth of the field calls Brooklyn home, and the borough's running clubs cheer along the route.
- Part of a series: it is one of the six races of the NYRR Five-Borough Series.
Didn't get in?
If you weren't selected in the Brooklyn Half Marathon lottery, you still have options:
- Charity entries: Many official charity partners offer guaranteed places in exchange for fundraising commitments. Check the official website for partner organizations.
- Member second chance: if your NYRR membership is active the day before the application opens and stays active through drawing day, applying to the drawing automatically enters you into the Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing held the same day.
- Run for Team for Kids: NYRR's charity team offers guaranteed entry and coaching in return for fundraising.
- Travel with a tour operator: non-U.S. residents can get guaranteed entry with a travel package from one of NYRR's International Tour Operators.
- Earn next year's place: volunteering at the race or its expo, or completing six NYRR virtual races at the Virtual 6 program rate during the year, gives guaranteed non-complimentary entry to the following year's race.
- Run a qualifying time: runners who meet NYRR's time standards can apply for a qualifier entry instead of relying on the drawing.
- Try a similar race: Check the related races below for races with similar entry types, dates, or locations.
- Apply again next year: Set up a BibsAlert so you don't miss the next entry window.
Questions runners ask
Is the Brooklyn Half a lottery?
Yes. Runners without guaranteed entry apply to a non-guaranteed entry drawing, which replaced the race's old first-come, first-served registration. Places are drawn in three pools: the NYC metro area, the rest of the United States, and international applicants.
When does the Brooklyn Half drawing open?
In recent years the application has opened in winter, anywhere from early December to early February, and stayed open for two to four weeks, with the drawing held within about a week of the close. Guaranteed entries are claimed during the same window.
How can I get guaranteed entry to the Brooklyn Half?
By volunteering at the previous year's race or expo, completing six NYRR virtual races at the Virtual 6 program rate the year before, cancelling the previous year's entry by the published instructions, meeting NYRR's time qualifying standards, joining Team for Kids, or, for non-U.S. residents, booking with an approved International Tour Operator.
How big is the Brooklyn Half?
It has drawn more than 30,000 finishers in a single year, making it the largest half marathon in New York Road Runners history and one of the largest in the United States.
What happens if I cancel my entry?
Runners who cancel by following NYRR's published instructions get guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the next year's race, claimed and paid during the guaranteed entry claim period. Runners who got in this way cannot cancel again and earn another guaranteed entry. Entry fees are non-refundable, and entries cannot be deferred or transferred to another runner.
Looking ahead
The race is held on a Saturday in May. In recent years the drawing application has opened in winter, anywhere from early December to early February, and stayed open for two to four weeks, with the drawing held within about a week of the close. Guaranteed entries are claimed in the same window. Set up a BibsAlert to get notified when the next drawing opens.