Record Number of Runners Set to Hit the Streets of Brooklyn at the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon, This Sunday, April 26

April 22, 2026

Race Week Kicks Off with the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon Expo Presented By Essentia, in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, April 23-25

Brooklyn, NYC (April 22, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – NYCRUNS, the Brooklyn-based race organizer producing two dozen races annually, will host an event-record number of runners at the 2026 NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon, this Sunday, April 26.

Over 27,000 runners will make the 13.1-mile journey through the streets of Brooklyn in NYC’s hottest spring race, with nearly three-quarters of the runners under the age of 35.

“We’re excited to showcase Brooklyn like it oughta be,” said Steve Lastoe, Founding CEO of NYCRUNS. “Showcasing iconic neighborhoods, bucket list views, and hidden gems, the Brooklyn Experience has fast become an annual rite of spring for New York City’s running community, particularly new and younger runners. From the local flavor of the pre-race Expo to the electric feel of race day, it’s one of Brooklyn’s best days of the year.”

The race includes entrants from 68 countries, including 49 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. 65% of the field is from New York City’s five boroughs and over 500 runners are making their miles matter by raising critical funds for 33 nonprofit organizations through the NYCRUNS Charity Partner Program.

The NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon begins in Greenpoint and runs along the East River waterfront under the historic Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges, providing runners with eye popping views of the Manhattan skyline. From there the route heads through downtown, up the historic concourses of Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue then past Grand Army Plaza before a celebratory finish in Prospect Park.

Launched in 2011 as the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Marathon in Prospect Park with a few hundred finishers, the half marathon was added to the event in 2018. In 2022, the event became a cross-borough affair with a new start in North Brooklyn before dropping the marathon distance in 2023 and becoming the standalone half marathon event it is today. In 2025, 24,603 runners finished the race, making it the third largest half marathon in the nation. The 2026 race will eclipse that mark with over 27,000 finishers expected.

The NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon is the fastest growing race in America since moving to its current route – North Brooklyn to Prospect Park. This year, the race is honoring nearly 200 runners who will have run all five of those races. The group will start together and run with special gold bibs to commemorate their accomplishment. One runner, Kamen Yatov of Brooklyn, is the only person to have run every iteration of the race since 2011 and will continue his streak in 2026 wearing a special Platinum bib to honor his amazing feat.

The NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon Expo Presented by Essentia will take place at Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, from Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25. Over 80,000 running enthusiasts are expected to attend the Expo, which is where runners pick up their race bib and participant shirt, learn about the course, shop for gear, and visit with Exhibitors.

Check here for road closure and parking advisories.

For more details on the event, visit BrooklynExperience.com.

About NYCRUNS

Since 2011, NYCRUNS has become one of the nation’s premier independent race organizers recognized for producing serious races that don’t take themselves so seriously. The Brooklyn-based organization hosts approximately two dozen events annually, including the flagship NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon. Hundreds of thousands of runners have taken part in NYCRUNS races, which are gathering spots for hundreds of NYC running clubs and crews and provide meaningful support to countless causes and local businesses. Visit NYCRUNS.com for more information.

Please contact media@nycruns.com with any questions or requests