New York City is the largest in America with over 8 million people living in the Big Apple’s five boroughs. With that many inhabitants (not to mention those living outside the city limits in the greater metropolis), it makes sense that the population of avid runners living in NYC would number well into the six figures. And with that many runners come plenty of organized races. Of course, New York is most well known for the Abbott World Marathon Major TCS New York City Marathon, the largest in the world.
But, the city is host to hundreds of NYC races every year ranging from the iconic 26.2 to mile-long sprints.
There are races in all five of New York’s boroughs, in every season, at all hours of the day and night. With field sizes from a few dozen to thousands. You can race in Central Park, through Times Square, over the Brooklyn Bridge, along the Hudson River, and even out to Coney Island.
Whether it be a fun run through Prospect Park or cross country NYC races in the Bronx, there’s an event for everyone.
So which ones should you sign up for? And how do you earn those race entries? Well we’ve done the research for you.
Below you’ll find a list of 20+ of the best NYC races, so peruse your options and let’s get running. If you’re looking for more state-wide races, check out our New York Half Marathon Race Calendar.
Sri Chinmoy 5K & 7-Mile in Prospect Parking
Borough: Brooklyn
Date: March 10, 2024
Register: https://us.srichinmoyraces.org/sri-chinmoy-5k-prospect-park
We might as well start with Prospect Park. It is one of the city’s most popular running locales along with Central Park and the West Side Highway. While dozens of NYC races are held there each year, Sri Chinmoy’s aim for something higher than a loop of the park. The Indian spiritual leader’s motto is “Run and Become. Become and Run. Run to succeed in the outer world. Become to proceed in the inner world.” So while you’re heading towards the finish line, you’ll also be encouraged to find inner peace. Plus after the single or double circuit of the park, there’s a pancake breakfast. Nourish the body. Nourish the soul.
United Airlines NYC Half – NYRR, New York Road Runners
Borough: Brooklyn & Manhattan
Date: March 17, 2024
Register: https://www.nyrr.org/races/2024unitedairlinesnychalf
As someone who has run a great many of the NYC races on this list, I will come out and say that the NYC Half has the best course of any race in the city. (That includes the NYC Marathon. Sorry!) The race is hosted by the New York Road Runners or NYRR. The race starts in Prospect Park, ends in Central Park and hits Downtown Brooklyn, the Manhattan Bridge, Chinatown, the East River, Grand Central, Times Square and the Plaza Hotel in between. It’s iconic landmark after iconic landmark. Unfortunately, the race does require winning a lottery or running for charity if you’re not a New Yorker. The race has a capacity of 25K runners size. But, keep trying year after year because this is the race to run. The United Airlines NYC Half is the most popular half marathon in the world.
Run for the Wild
Borough: The Bronx
Date: April 27, 2024
Register: https://p2p.onecause.com/run-for-the-wild
While many would cite NYRR’s Bronx 10 Miler as THE race of New York’s northernmost borough, the Bronx Zoo’s Run for the Wild has a much better course.
The 5k race is hosted at New York’s famed zoo. And, allows runners to pass by many of their most popular inhabitants. The race is run to raise money for sloths, which are going extinct. But, you can certainly walk/run much faster than they can. Plus the race includes free zoo admission so you can stay and watch the rhinos post-race.
NYCRuns Brooklyn Half Marathon
Borough: Brooklyn
Date: April 28, 2024
Register: https://nycruns.com/race/nycruns-brooklyn-half-marathon
To be a New York runner is to constantly be confused as to which Brooklyn half your friends are running.
As there is a pair of 13.1 races are held every year in the borough. First up is the NYCRuns event. The USATF Certified course zig-zags around the northwest section of BK, beginning in Greenpoint and crossing under all three iconic bridges: the Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. Racers then head down Flatbush Avenue to a triumphant finish in Prospect Park. There is no lottery involved when signing up for this race (which is nice) and I would argue that the course is the more interesting of the two Brooklyn options. It’s also an easy commute home for most, something that cannot be said for…
RBC Brooklyn Half
Borough: Brooklyn
Date: May 18, 2024
Register: https://www.nyrr.org/races/2024rbcbrooklynhalf
The OG Brooklyn Half is hosted by NYRR, the same organization that puts on the Marathon and is a part of their Five-Borough Series which includes the NYC Half, Queens 10K, Bronx 10 Mile, and Staten Island Half. It’s the largest half marathon in the US and uniquely sends runners east from Prospect Park to a finish on the Coney Island boardwalk. Like the NYC Half it does require a lottery entry unless you qualify through various NYRR metrics because its iconic finish draws thousands each year. However, the middle portion of the course (a single straightaway for miles) can be a bit boring and commuting back to the city from Coney Island post-race can be pretty miserable, especially if you’re sore. You can get a Nathan’s hot dog upon finishing though and that’s a prize better than any medal.
The Jersey City Spring Half
Borough: New Jersey
Date: May 19, 2024
Register: https://citytri.com/jersey-city-half-5k-10k-runs/
While many New Yorkers turn up their noses at New Jersey, the Hudson River towns like Jersey City and Hoboken are way closer to Manhattan than much of the outer boroughs. We’ve, therefore, got to give Jersey some love. Each spring, Citytri puts on a series of events in Jersey City’s Lincoln Park with runners opting for the 5K, 10K or half marathon, depending on how many laps of the park they’d like to run. While the course is a bit repetitive, it’s certainly more convenient for those living in NJ and is very easy to get into. Plus it’s hard to beat those prices south of $100.
Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K
Borough: New Jersey & Manhattan
Date: TBD May 2024
Register: https://www.ltc5k.org/
If it’s a Sunday morning in May and you’re planning on driving from New Jersey into Manhattan, you might want to check and make sure the Lincoln Tunnel is open. That’s because it could be filled with thousands of pedestrians running a 5K. Every year runners run underneath the Hudson River in one of the greater New York area’s most unique races to raise money for the Special Olympics. The course starts and ends in Weehawken with a turnaround on the New York side of the tunnel. The race will finally put an end to the age-old question of “Is it faster to walk or sit in the Lincoln Tunnel traffic?”
Related: Best 5K & 10K Races in the US
NYRR Queens 10K
Borough: Queens
Date: TBD June 2024
Register: https://www.nyrr.org/races/nyrrqueens10k
The Queens entry into NYRR’s Five-Borough series is this June race through Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The park, which was built for the 1939 World’s Fair is actually slightly larger than Central Park and boasts not only the Citi Field, the Queens Zoo and of course the Unisphere. The race is a nice alternative to the myriad 10Ks hosted in Central Prospect Parks. It’s also one of the easier Five-Borough races to sign up for and doesn’t require a lottery (or at least not yet).
Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run 4M
Borough: Manhattan
Date: June 29, 2024
Register: https://www.nyrr.org/races/frontrunnersnewyorklgbtpriderun4m
New Yorkers take LGBTQ+ Pride very seriously. After all the first Pride parade took place on the streets of the Big Apple. As a celebration of queer runners (including those trans and non-binary athletes who are often discriminated against), NYRR and the LGBTQ+ running team Front Runners host a Pride Run in Central Park. Finishers get popsicles, dressing up in rainbows is encouraged, and whether you’re queer or just an ally, it’s a welcoming race for all.
New Balance 5th Avenue Mile
Borough: Manhattan
Date: TBD September 2024
Register: https://www.nyrr.org/Races/NewBalance5thAvenueMile
Outside of some children’s fun runs, the shortest high profile NYC race is the 5th Avenue Mile, which is obviously only a mile long and run on 5th Avenue. Unless you’re on one of the city’s recreational track and field teams, you likely don’t have many opportunities to run the mile competitively, so this is a fun event to test your sprinting abilities. The race is run in waves so people have room to go all out for the mile run, and at over 40+ years, it’s one of the oldest races in NYC.
Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC
Borough: Brooklyn & Manhattan
Date: September 29, 2024
Register: https://t2t.org/new-york-city-5k/
On September 11, 2001 FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, unable to get to Ground Zero from Brooklyn strapped on his gear and ran through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he sacrificed his life to save others. Now every September, thousands of New Yorkers retrace his final footsteps running from Brooklyn and ending near the World Trade Center Memorial. The money from the race goes to benefit first responders and honor the men and women who died on 9/11. Many FDNY members run in their full gear to honor Siller, and watching them cross the finish line is extremely powerful.
NYRR Staten Island Half
Borough: Staten Island
Date: TBD October 2024
Register: https://www.nyrr.org/races/nyrrstatenislandhalf
Of the NYRR Half Marathons, the Staten Island race is by far the easiest one to get into (just sign up), and honestly an amazing opportunity to explore a borough many New Yorkers don’t frequent. The race starts and ends by the ferry, so it’s pretty easy to get to (and provides you with a sunrise boat trip past the Statue of Liberty). It’s a fun jaunt along the edge of Staten Island, with great views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Then once you’re done, you can head off to get some of their famous pizza and explore.
Empire State Building Run-Up
Borough: Manhattan
Date: TBD October 2024
Register: https://www.esbnyc.com/empire-state-building-run
The most difficult race in New York to enter is this Empire State Building climb that sends runners up 86 floors worth of steps. Obviously because you’re just climbing up a stairwell, space is pretty confined and the field size is restricted to just a few hundred runners (many of whom are either elite runners or VIPs). You can, however, enter a lottery to run the race, which ends with a pretty spectacular view of the city. You just might want to ditch the track workouts for a stairmaster if you’re set on running this.
NYCRuns Haunted Island 5K
Borough: Governor’s Island, Manhattan
Date: October 26, 2024
Register: https://nycruns.com/race/nycruns-haunted-island-5k-10k
Governor’s Island is kind of a spooky place and just right for a Halloween run. In the middle of New York Harbor between Brooklyn, New York and Staten Island, the tiny isle used to be occupied by the military, but has been sitting largely empty as a park of sorts recently. Until 2021, it was only open to the public during the summer, but now it’s opened all year round and NYCRuns hosts their annual Halloween race there. Soak in the chilly autumn sea breeze as you loop the island in a 5K. Runners are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume and prizes are given out to the best dressed.
TCS New York City Marathon
Borough: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan & The Bronx
Date: November 3, 2024
Register: https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon
And so we arrive at the baddest, biggest, most iconic of all NYC races, the NYC Marathon. There are whole posts dedicated to this race (including ones by yours truly). It’s the biggest marathon in the world and boasts some of the largest crowds. You can enter via lottery, a charity bib, or NYRR’s 9+1 program, but it either requires some luck, some money, or some elbow grease. The course winds through all five boroughs before ending in Central Park. Eat a bagel before you start. Eat some pizza once you finish. Chew on the scenery along the way.
NYCRuns Go Nuts for Donuts 5K & 10K
Borough: Governor’s Island, Manhattan
Date: November 18, 2023
Register: https://nycruns.com/race/nycruns-go-nuts-for-donuts-5k-10k
Run a race where you get to eat donuts at the end? Twist my arm. NYCRuns aims to please and who doesn’t love a glazed pastry in the morning? The race on Governor’s Island has a 5K and 10K option, but either way, you get sweet treats at the end. What more can we say?
PPTC Turkey Trot
Borough: Brooklyn
Date: November 23, 2024
Register: https://pptc.org/turkey
If you’re in New York for Thanksgiving and you don’t want to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade you can sign up to run the Prospect Park Track Club’s Turkey Trot instead. The five mile race follows the Prospect Park loop and allows you to get some good exercise before you head home to eat 15 pounds of mashed potatoes and stuffing. Come dressed as a pilgrim or as a turkey and get a free beanie before you leave.
Manhattanite Half, 10K and 5K
Borough: Manhattan
Date: December 2, 2023
Register: https://citytri.com/the-manhattanite-run/
Riverside Park is one of New York’s most beautiful (I mean it’s where the end of You’ve Got Mail is shot after all), but there aren’t a ton of NYC races held there. Citytri Runs, however, throws this trio of races along the Hudson River with runners completing 4, 2, or 1 lap of the course. Because of the various distances, it’s a great race for friend groups and families of different experience levels to sign up for. One can do the 5K while another tackles the half. It is also located conveniently just a few blocks from Zabars, so you can grab a bite once you’re done.
NYCRuns Big Apple Half Marathon
Borough: Manhattan
Date: December 9, 2023
Register: https://nycruns.com/race/nycruns-big-apple
Another more lowkey half marathon option is NYCRuns’ Central Park-based half marathon run in the weeks before Christmas. The course is a simple two-and-a-half laps of the park (although climbing Harlem Hill twice is anything but simple), and let’s runners take in just how beautiful Central Park is. This is also a great race for out-of-towners who want to visit NYC during the most magical time of the year. Polish off a half marathon in the morning and then head to Rockefeller Center to ooh and aah over the tree.
NYRR Midnight Run – New Year
Borough: Manhattan
Date: December 31, 2023
Register: https://www.nyrr.org/races/nyrrmidnightrun
While most running NYC races are run in the wee hours of the morning (here’s looking at you NYRR’s 8 am start times), this New Year’s Eve race is for the night owls. The race starts at 11:59 on New Year’s Eve and lets runners start of their new year with 4-mile course around Central Park. Kiss someone at the finish line, run the race, and then celebrate with a glass of champagne.
Orchard Street Runners Races
Borough: TBD
Date: TBD
Register: https://orchardstreetrunners.com/
No list of NYC races would be complete without calling out the Orchard Street Runners and the guerilla-style, middle-of-the-night, open-course races. With runners zig-zagging through traffic at 1 am, they are some of the most chaotic events a runner can sign up for, but they are oh so exciting. Their race schedule changes so keep your eyes peeled for social media posts, and I wouldn’t sign up if you aren’t a seasoned runner and New Yorker, but if you’re up for the challenge, there’s nothing as exhilarating. Running the Midnight Half in 2022 remains the most fun I’ve ever had in a race.
