The restless state of New York is rich in various events, including running races. In this blog post, you’ll find the 10 most interesting races in New York.
1. NYCRUNS Manhattan Ice Cream Social 5K and 10K
August 6
GOVERNORS ISLAND
COLONELS ROW
The NYCRUNS Manhattan Ice Cream Social is an NYC race where you can find the best views of lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn coastline, and the New York Harbor. It is a great way to explore the waterfront with a weekend run.
To enter the NYCRUNS Manhattan Ice Cream Social 5K and 10K, you need to take a ferry ride. Your race entry, a tech t-shirt, post-race eats, and, of course, ice cream are included in the race registration. After the run, you can enjoy the island, which includes art exhibits, mini golf, and a prison tour.Both the 5k and 10k take place in Prospect Park. You will run almost 2 complete loops of the park, but only one run on the hill for the 10K and a little less than a loop for the 5K. At the end of both distances, there will be ice cream.
2. NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K
August 27
CENTRAL PARK
NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K is a way to honor the legacy of Grete Waitz with a run through Central Park. The marathon takes place on Saturday, August 27.
It is the same course is the same where Grete Waitz won her 5 NYRR New York Mini 10K titles, set world records in 1979 and 1980, and where she ran the final miles of her record 9 New York City Marathon victories. In 1998, Grete Waitz became the founding chair of the NYRR Foundation.
Grete’s legacy foundation, AKTIV Against Cancer, was founded in 2007 by the Norwegian icon and New York City Marathon champion Grete Waitz and Helle Aanesen. AKTIV Against Cancer wants physical activity to be a crucial part of cancer treatment. AKTIV Against Cancer has pledged $3.3 million to fund leading exercise oncology research under the direction of Dr. Lee Jones at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
3. New Balance Bronx 10 Mile
September, 18
BRONX
Enjoy the Bronx 10 Mile-race through this brisk New York City borough on Sunday, September 18. The 2022 New Balance Bronx 10 Mile is going to be a cheerful event for all athletes and their friends and families.
The New Balance Bronx 10 Mile is the 4th event of our Five-Borough Series.
Run with Team for Kids
You can guarantee entry by signing up to run with NYRR Team for Kids. It includes expert coaching and the opportunity to help kids become healthy and fit.
4. NYCRuns Falling Leaves Half Marathon & 5K
October, 15
PROSPECT PARK
CENTER DRIVE
BROOKLYN, NY
NYCRuns Falling Leaves Half Marathon & 5K is a Brooklyn run that starts at Prospect Park. You can choose between a Half Marathon or a 5K.
It is a USATF-Certified half marathon course comprised of just under 4 full loops (3.25 hills) of the park and a final sprint down Center Drive. You will pass Center Drive 3 times and then make the final left turn to the finish. The 5K course starts and finishes in the same place and subtracts three of the loops.
5. NYCRuns Haunted Island 5K and 10K
October, 29
GOVERNORS ISLAND
COLONELS ROW
NEW YORK, NY
NYCRuns Haunted Island 5K and 10K is a beautiful destination with the best views of lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn coastline, and the New York Harbor. But there are some terrifying stories: accidents, tragedies, military executions, and abandoned cemeteries. You better run a FAST 5K or 10K.
After running at Haunted Island, stick around for Halloween treats, including candy! Costumes are welcomed at this NYCrun race!
The NYCRUNS Haunted Island 5K and 10K entries include a ferry ride, your race-entry, a tech t-shirt, and post-race eats. Celebrate the end of the race with Halloween goodness.
The 5K is one loop of the course; the 10K is two loops.
6. The New York City Marathon
November, 6
STATEN ISLAND
The New York City Marathon is an annual marathon held in New York City. It is one of the largest in the world. In 2014 the distance was completed by about 50 thousand people.
Along with the American Boston and Chicago marathons, it is included in the World Marathon Majors series. The marathon was organized by the New York City Running Association and was first held in 1970. The event takes place every year on the first Sunday in November.
The start line of the marathon is on Staten Island. Then the marathon runners head along the Verrazano Bridge, which is completely closed to traffic for the duration of the competition. The marathon track passes through all areas of New York and finishes opposite the famous Tavern on the Green restaurant.
7. NYCRuns Turkey Trot
November, 24
GOVERNORS ISLAND
COLONELS ROW
NYCRuns Turkey Trot is an annual 5K Thanksgiving run. The foliage is wonderful during this late fall event, providing you with a scenic tour of Governors Island. Happy Thanksgiving!
The 5K is one loop of the course.
The NYCRUNS Turkey Trot entry includes a ferry ride, your race entry, a long sleeve t-shirt, and post-race eats.
8. NYCRuns Big Apple Half Marathon & 5K
December, 11
CENTRAL PARK
NYCRuns Big Apple Half Marathon & 5K is the fastest race in Central Park. It is for serious runners who want to complete a half marathon in the winter!
To race in Central Park in winter is much more than running. The park is silent and peaceful, with just the sounds of other runners accompanying you.
The half marathon starts on West Drive near 96th Street and completes two and a half loops of the park across 72nd Street and up Harlem Hill before finishing on the 102nd Street transverse. The 5K begins a bit further south and ends in the same place.
9. NYRR Fred Lebow Half-Marathon
January, 23
CENTRAL PARK
NYRR Fred Lebow Half Marathon honors the late NYRR president and New York City Marathon co-founder, Fred Lebow (1932–1994). The 13.1-mile course has multiple loops of Central Park, which can be challenging in January!
The Half Marathon starts on East Drive in Central Park south of the 102nd Street Cross Drive and brings participants over 2 loops within the park. Athletes will run north on East Drive through the Harlem Hills and continue south on West Drive to the lower loop before heading north on East Drive and passing the start line.
After a second loop of the same route, runners run a shortened third loop and one final time up and over Harlem Hill, finishing on the 102nd Street Cross Drive near West Drive.
10. The New York City Half Marathon
March, 20
PROSPECT PARK
The New York City Half Marathon, also known as the United Airlines NYC Half, was founded in 2006. The annual half marathon goes from Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to Manhattan’s Central Park via the Manhattan Bridge, passing by Times Square, Grand Central, and both Grand Army Plazas. This NYC Central Park race also has virtual options: Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Guaranteed Entry, Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Love of Running, and the Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Medal events.
