The New York Road Runners always put on an amazing event and this race was no exception. I highly recommend this race to all runners.

The expo for the race was small but it offered a lot of great merchandise, fun photo opportunities, and activities for people to take part in. There was unfortunately no pre or post race festivities. The race itself was extremely well organized however. The race start had a very smooth bag check area, plenty of bathrooms for runners, and a fully stocked medical tent. Runners were given heat blankets to stay warm and had music to listen too and get pumped by playing over a PA system. There was also large screens displaying which Wave was coming up and their starting time. This was a great starting area to get warmed up in with the other 25,000 runners in the race. Register for a great long sleeve tech shirt with the race logo and finish this race and you'll be rewarded a beautiful finisher medal that displays the sights of NYC.

The NYRR selected a new course route this year and it was absolutely perfect. The course had a flat middle that was sandwiched by hills at the start and finish. With the addition of running by several iconic New York City areas, the scenery of the route couldn’t have been better.

Starting out in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, runners hit Battle Pass Hill right away with fresh legs. Runners pass Soldiers and Sailors Arch in Grand Army Plaza as they head out onto Flatbush Avenue towards the Manhattan Bridge. Running over the bridge gives runners their first look at the beautiful New York skyline to the left. A quick hairpin turn puts you on the FDR Drive running along the East River on a long flat stretch where runners settle into their race pace. A left hand turn at the United Nations building onto 42nd Street brings cheering crowds and a steady incline to 7th Avenue. 7th Avenue will bring arguably the best sight of the race in the form of Times Square and thousands of cheering spectators. Running through the heart of New York City is a breath taking experience. After Times Square runners enter Central Park on the East side and come across several rolling hills and run past Bethesda Terrace. The home stretch brings you past Tavern on the Green and finishers cross the finish line along with runners from all around the world.

If you are looking for an amazing Half Marathon to run, the NYC sights and organization of this race make it one of the best and I highly recommend it.