Ready, set, go!
This Sunday, March 15, 2026, more than 30,000 runners will lace up and line up for the United Airlines NYC Half — one of New York City’s most electric annual traditions.
From first-time finishers to seasoned marathoners, the energy at the starting line is pure NYC: determined, diverse, and full of love and pride, where New Yorkers, visitors, and runners from around the world share the same 13.1 miles.
And what a 13.1 miles it is.
The course kicks off in Brooklyn near Prospect Park, winds its way toward the East River, and sends runners soaring over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan skyline rising ahead.
From there, it’s straight through the bright lights of Times Square, briefly closed to traffic and roaring with cheers, before a triumphant finish in Central Park. It’s a route that feels like a love letter to the five boroughs (with a few unforgettable blocks stealing the spotlight).
Whether you’re racing, spectating, or just navigating street closures, here’s everything you need to know about this quintessentially New York day.
🗓️ NYC Half Marathon Date and Time
The 2026 United Airlines NYC Half is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026. While the “professional” race starts early, the event uses a staggered wave start to manage the 30,000+ participant flow:
- Wheelchair Division: Starts at approximately 7 am.
- Professional Fields: Elite runners typically head out around 7:20 am.
- Wave Starts: General runners will begin in waves (1 through 5) starting from 7:20 am through roughly 9 am.
- Times Square Kids Run: The youth event (Stages 1, 2, and 3) kicks off at 8 am right in the heart of Manhattan.
🗺️ Half Marathon Route and Map
The point-to-point course is a “Tour de New York” that spans two boroughs.
- The Brooklyn Start: Runners gather on Washington Avenue near the Brooklyn Museum before heading into Prospect Park to tackle the challenge of Battle Pass Hill.
- The Bridge: After exiting the park and passing the Barclays Center, runners take the Manhattan-bound roadway of the Brooklyn Bridge—a rare opportunity as this is the only race that utilizes this specific path.
- The FDR Drive: Once in Manhattan, the route follows the FDR Drive North for nearly 4 miles, offering sweeping views of the East River and the United Nations.
- The Midtown Surge: Runners exit the FDR at 42nd Street, passing Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library before the legendary turn onto 7th Avenue through a traffic-free Times Square.
- The Finish: The race enters Central Park at 59th Street, winding through the park’s rolling hills to finish on West Drive near 72nd Street.
🚗 Road closures for the NYC Half Marathon
Expect significant “gridlock alert” conditions across Brooklyn and Manhattan throughout the weekend. Here’s what to know, according to a report by New York Road Runners.
⛔ Brooklyn Street Closures (Sunday, March 15)
⏰ 12 am – 11:30 am
- Eastern Parkway (south service road) from Washington Ave. to Franklin Ave.
- Eastern Parkway (north service road) from Underhill Ave. to Bedford Ave.
- Eastern Parkway from Grand Army Plaza to Bedford Ave.
⏰ 12 am – 12:30 pm
- Union St. from Classon Ave. to Franklin Ave.
- President St. from Classon Ave. to Franklin Ave.
- Carroll St. from Washington Ave. to Franklin Ave.
- Crown St. from Washington Ave. to Franklin Ave.
- Montgomery St. from Washington Ave. to Franklin Ave.
- Sullivan Pl. from Washington Ave. to Franklin Ave.
⏰ 12 am – 2 pm
- Washington Ave. from Eastern Parkway to Carroll St.
⏰ 12 am – 3 pm
- Classon Ave. from Eastern Parkway to President St.
- President St. from Classon Ave. to Franklin Ave.
⏰ 4 am – 10:30 am
- Empire Blvd. from Flatbush Ave. to Bedford Ave.
⏰ 5:30 am – 11:30 am
- Flatbush Ave. (south side) from Eastern Parkway to Ocean Ave./Empire Blvd.
- Flatbush Ave. (north side) from Grand Army Plaza to Atlantic Ave.
- Park Ave. (westbound) from Navy St. to Tillary St.
- Tillary St. from Adams St./Brooklyn Bridge Blvd. to Gold St.
- Tillary St. (eastbound) from Cadman Plaza to Adams St.
- Adams St./Brooklyn Bridge Blvd. (northbound) from Fulton St. to Brooklyn Bridge
- Jay St. (northbound) from Willoughby St. to Tillary St.
- Jay St. (southbound) from Sands St. to Tillary St.
- Manhattan Bridge/Flatbush Ave. Extension (southbound) from Flatbush Ave. to Tillary St.
- Pearl St. (southbound) from Prospect St. to Sands St.
- Jay St. & Sands St. (westbound) toward Brooklyn Bridge
- Westbound BQE at Tillary St. (Exit 29) – entrance/exit ramps
- Eastbound BQE at Tillary St. (Exit 29B) – entrance/exit ramps
- Eastbound BQE at Cadman Plaza (Exit 28A)
- Eastbound BQE at Brooklyn Bridge (Exit 28B)
⏰ 5:30 am – 11:45 am
- Flatbush Ave. from Atlantic Ave. to Tillary St.
⏰ 6 am – 10:30 am
- Washington Ave. from Carroll St. to Empire Blvd.
- Empire Blvd. from Washington Ave. to Flatbush Ave.
- Flatbush Ave. from Empire Blvd. to Grand Army Plaza.
⛔ Brooklyn No Parking
⏰ Thursday, March 12th (6 am) – Sunday, March 15th (12 pm)
- Eastern Parkway (south side) from Grand Army Plaza to Washington Ave.
- Eastern Parkway (south service road, both sides) from Washington Ave. to Bedford Ave.
⏰ Friday, March 13 (6 am) – Sunday, March 15 (12 pm)
- Eastern Parkway (north service road) from Underhill Ave. to Bedford Ave.
- Washington Ave. from Eastern Parkway to Empire Blvd.
- President St. (in front of schools) from Classon Ave. to Franklin Ave.
- Union St. (in front of schools) from Classon Ave. to Franklin Ave.
- Empire Blvd. from Washington Ave. to Flatbush Ave.
- Flatbush Ave. from Empire Blvd. to Grand Army Plaza.
- Sullivan Pl. from Washington Ave. to Zenita Thompson Pl.
- Empire Blvd. from Flatbush Ave. to Bedford Ave.
⏰ Sunday, March 15 (12 am – 1 pm)
- Flatbush Ave. from Grand Army Plaza to Ocean Ave./Empire Blvd.
- Flatbush Ave. from Grand Army Plaza to Tillary St.
⛔ FDR Drive Closures (Sunday, March 15th | 5:40 am – 1:30 pm)
- Brooklyn Bridge exit to northbound FDR Drive
- Northbound FDR Drive at Exit 2 (Brooklyn Bridge/Manhattan Civic Center)
- Northbound FDR Drive at Montgomery St.
- Northbound FDR Drive at Houston St.
- Northbound FDR Drive at East 20th/23rd St. (Exit 7)
- Northbound FDR Drive at East 34th St. (Exit 8)
- Northbound FDR Drive at 42nd St.
- Pearl Street ramps and service roads
⛔ Manhattan Street Closures (Sunday, March 15th)
⏰ 3 am – 1 pm
- 43rd–46th Sts. between 6th Ave. and 7th Ave.
⏰ 4:30 am – 1 pm
- 7th Ave. from 42nd St. to 56th St.
⏰ 6 am – 2:15 pm
- Central Park West from 59th St. to 72nd St.
- West 61st–64th Sts. between Broadway and Central Park West
⏰ 7 am – 12:45 pm
- 42nd St. from 1st Ave. to 7th Ave.
⏰ 7 am – 1 pm
- 7th Ave. from 56th St. to Central Park South
⏰ 7:15 am – 1:15 pm
- Central Park South between Columbus Circle and Grand Army Plaza
⛔ Manhattan No Parking
⏰ Saturday, March 14th (9 am) – Sunday, March 15th (3 pm)
- Central Park West (west side) from 59th St. to 65th St.
⏰ Sunday, March 15th
- 42nd St. between 1st Ave. and 7th Ave.
- 7th Ave. between 42nd St. and 59th St.
- Central Park South (north side) from 7th Ave. to Columbus Circle.
🏃♀️ How to track a runner
If someone you love is racing, you won’t want to miss seeing them go by! The most reliable way to follow your favorite athlete is via the NYRR Racing App (available on iOS and Android).
🗽 Where to watch
With 13.1 miles of energy, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, but these spots offer the best experience:
- Grand Army Plaza (Brooklyn): Catch the runners early as they exit Prospect Park; the energy here is high and the crowds are thick.
- Times Square (Manhattan): This is the “high-definition” moment of the race. Standing between 42nd and 47th Streets on 7th Avenue provides a view that is truly unique to this event.
- Central Park South (59th St): Watch the runners make their final turn toward the park. It’s loud, emotional, and very crowded.
- The Finish Line (Central Park): Located on West Drive near 72nd Street. Note that access to the actual finish line is limited; the best viewing is often along the final 400 meters inside the park.
To learn more, see New York Road Runners’ official website.
Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just chasing the vibes of the incredible day, there is truly no Sunday like a race Sunday in the five boroughs. To all of our New Yorkers running this weekend, we’re so proud of you, and we’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines! ❤️🏃♀️