2019 Popular® Brooklyn Half: Race-Day Essentials

The Popular® Brooklyn Half is almost here! On Saturday, May 18, more than 25,000 runners will journey through the Borough of Kings from Prospect Park to the Coney Island boardwalk. If you’ll be one of them, get familiar with these race-day logistics to ensure a smooth 13.1.

Download your confirmation form—which includes your QR code—in your NYRR account and show it, along with your photo ID, at the Popular® Brooklyn Half Pre-Party Presented by New Balance to pick up your number and race materials. You may want to screenshot the QR code to avoid any wi-fi issues at the Pre-Party.

Remember—this year’s Pre-Party has a new location at Brooklyn Bridge Plaza at Brooklyn Bridge Park (corner of New Dock & Water streets). By subway, take the F to York Street or the A/C to High Street - Brooklyn Bridge. You can also take the NYC Ferry to DUMBO.

Check out our live blog every hour from the Pre-Party and on race day to follow all the excitement all week long.

Getting to the Start

Your confirmation form and race number have your wave assignment, which you’ll need to know to plan your travel to the start. Another great planning tool is the personalized race details email you’ll receive on May 13—watch for it!

The race start is next to the Brooklyn Museum (see start map). Plan to arrive at the start by 5:00 a.m. if you’re checking a bag, and by 5:40 a.m. (Wave 1) or 6:20 a.m. (Wave 2) if you’re not checking a bag.

We strongly recommend public transportation. Check mta.info/weekender for the latest updates. There is no parking at the start. 

Please consider not bringing a bag to the race. If you bring a bag, it must be the clear plastic bag you receive at the pre-party with the tag affixed. Follow these bag-check instructions.

Wave 1

• Subway: 2/3/4 to Franklin Avenue or Q to Prospect Park
• Car/taxi drop-off: Eastern Parkway at Bedford Avenue

Wave 2

• Subway: 2/3 to Grand Army Plaza or Q to 7th Avenue
• Car/taxi drop-off: Flatbush Avenue at Grand Army Plaza

Start Timelines

All runners must pass through metal detector screening. We ask for your cooperation in order to avoid any interruption to the day’s events.

Wave 1

• Bag check opens 5:00 a.m.
• Corrals open 6:00 a.m.
• Bag check closes 6:10 a.m.
• Corrals close 6:40 a.m.
• Start 7:00 a.m.

Wave 2

• Bag check opens 5:00 a.m.
• Corrals open 6:00 a.m.
• Bag check closes 7:00 a.m.
• Corrals close 7:20 a.m.
• Start 7:45 a.m.

Course

You’ll run past the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and around Grand Army Plaza before entering Prospect Park. After a loop around the park, you’ll exit from the southwest corner onto Ocean Parkway and cruise to the finish (see course map).

Finish/Post-Finish

• The race finishes on the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk. The finish area is for runners only. (see finish map). 
• Claim your checked bag at the MCU Park parking lot until 11:30 a.m.
• Plan a location to reunite with your family and friends and be aware there may be cell saturation.
• Visit the Popular® Brooklyn Half After-Party at MCU Park to celebrate your accomplishment, purchase food, and enjoy music and festivities. Stadium sections will be marked with letters; you can plan to meet at the letter corresponding to your last name.

Tracking, Results, and Coverage

Live unofficial results and runner tracking are available during the race in the NYRR app so your family and friends can follow your progress and you can check your unofficial time after you finish. Official results, coverage, and photos are posted later in the day at nyrr.org.

Medal Engraving

NYRR members and myNB Rewards Gold Members can visit the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub after the 2019 Popular® Brooklyn Half for complimentary finisher medal engraving (for finishers of the 2019 Popular® Brooklyn Half only) .

• Saturday, May 18: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 19: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. 
• Monday, May 20: 12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Please have your NYRR member number (available on your NYRR member card or in your NYRR account) or download the NB App and show your Gold status at time of engraving. You can send a proxy to have your medal engraved; they’ll just need your NYRR member number. All engraving will be done on-site; no drop-offs.

Finishers who are not NYRR members can purchase an NYRR membership through their NYRR account and then have their medal engraved. Visit our Membership page for more details on NYRR membership levels and prices. Alternatively, runners can learn how to become a myNB Rewards Gold Member to receive free medal engraving.

Visit the race page and our Help Center for more info.