THE RACE
Calling all fall lovers! Explore Brooklyn’s backyard during prime running season at the NYCRUNS Falling Leaves Half Marathon & 5K.
Work this race into your fall marathon training or just take in the gorgeous fall foliage along our USATF-certified Prospect Park course. This is one of our most popular events with a gorgeous medal for both half and 5K participants.
THE COURSE
The half marathon course is comprised of just under four full loops (3.25 hills) of the park and a final sprint down Center Drive. This means that you will pass Center Drive three times and then make one final left turn to the finish. The 5K course subtracts three of those loops.
All NYCRUNS courses are USATF certified.
5K Course Map | Certification
Half Marathon Course Map | Certification
AMENITIES
Bag Check – If you plan on checking a bag, you must use the single clear bag provided by NYCRUNS. You may not put another full bag/backpack/briefcase inside the clear bag. All items must fit inside the clear bag. NYCRUNS reserves the right to search your bag at any time.
Toilets – Portable restrooms will be available for use throughout the event.
Refreshments – Water and electrolyte fluid will be available on the course. Additional hydration, bagels, spreads and fresh fruit will be available at the finish line.
Swag – The giveaway for this race will be a medal and a tech shirt. Shirts may be picked up on race day only. In order to cut down on waste, we avoid ordering more than we need; thus, sizes are not guaranteed. If you have your heart set on a size, we recommend picking up your shirt before the race.
Photos – Free finish line photos will be available within a week of the race. You will receive an email from MarathonFoto several days after the race to claim your photos.
BIB DISTRIBUTION
You may pickup your bib in the festival area on race day. NYCRUNS does not host a pre-race bib pickup for this event.
If you register thirty days or more before the event using a domestic address, you can also have your bib mailed to you. This service is free if you are an NYCRUNS Member, and you can become one at checkout. You can also add this service to your registration for $20. Please make sure the shipping address provided at the time of registration will be valid in the month preceding the race.
If you register less than 30 days before race day, or you have an international address, you must pick up your bib on race day no more than an hour before your start time.
If you need to switch distances, please do so on your NYCRUNS dashboard. You may only switch distances if the distance you are looking to switch to is not sold out. You may need to contact customer service or go to the Race Command tent on race day if there is a difference in price.
You also must pick up the appropriate distance bib on race day from the Bib Pick-Up tent if it was not shipped to you. Runners who participate with a bib designated for a different distance (e.g., you run the 5K with a Half Marathon bib or vice versa) will not be scored, eligible for awards or appear in race results.
RESULTS & AWARDS
Results will be emailed and the full results will be posted on our Results Page after the race. If you do not see your result online or receive an email with your finish time, please fill out this form.
Awards will be given to the top three male, female and non-binary runners overall in each race.
Age group awards in the Half will be awarded to the top three male, female, and non-binary finishers in each of the following age groups (by net time): 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 and over.
Age group awards in the 5K will be awarded to the top three male, female, and non-binary finishers in each of the following age groups (by net time): 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over.
Additional information about awards can be found in our help section here.
PRIZE MONEY
Within the Half Marathon division, athletes meeting the following criteria will be eligible for prize money:
You must be an NYCRUNS Member and your account must be in good standing prior to and on race day.
Men: 1:20:00 or faster (gun time)
Women: 1:30:00 or faster (gun time)
Non-Binary / Gender Non-Conforming: 1:30:00 or faster (gun time)
You must have competed only in your registered gender in the 90 days prior to the event
Your gender must not have been changed on your NYCRUNS profile in the 90 days prior to the event
Prize money will be distributed as follows:
First Place: $1,000
Second Place: $500
Third Place: $250
Fourth Place: $200
Fifth Place: $150
Sixth – Tenth Place: $100
Additionally, any athlete who meets or exceeds the times above in one of these races will receive discounted entry to all NYCRUNS races until the end of the calendar year.
Additional information about our prize money program can be found in our help section here.
COST
See chart below. NYCRUNS members receive a 10% discount on this race, race withdrawal rights and other perks. You can become a member when you check out.
Race Credit may be used to pay for up to 50% of this race.
Race day registration (if available) is online only.
Half Marathon Members Non-Members
Through 7/31 $72 $80
Through 9/11 $81 $90
Through 9/25 $90 $100
Through 10/09 $99 $110
Until Online Registration Ends $112.50 $125
5K Members Non-Members
Through 7/31 $41.50 $45
Through 9/11 $45 $50
Through 9/25 $49.50 $55
Through 10/09 $54. $60
Until Online Registration Ends $58.50 $65
DIRECTIONS
The Q and 2/3 to Grand Army Plaza are the closest subways to the Start.
If you need to check a bag or want to pick up your shirt before the race, please head to the festival area in the Nethermead. Bib pickup and portable toilets are located here as well. The closest subway is the Q to Prospect Park or the F/G to 15th St-Prospect Park.
Please check MTA Trip Planner for up to date and detailed mass transit directions and Google Maps for driving directions. Parking is limited at all of our events; we strongly encourage the use of mass transit.
POLICIES
The standard no-refunds, no-transfers policy applies. Withdrawals for race credit are only applicable to those signed up for the NYCRUNS Membership Program.
Strollers and dogs are not allowed in NYCRUNS races.
You may be disqualified if earbuds or headphones hinder your awareness.
All NYCRUNS races have time limits. You must remain on pace to finish within the time limit in order to receive course support and an official finish time. Should you fall behind pace, you may be directed off the course by a race marshal.
Please familiarize yourself with our complete rules of competition.