Final Instructions
Please read the final instructions in their entirety. Although many of you have experience running NYRR races, several significant changes have been made to the race procedures for the NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE.Sunday, August 5 - New York City
Start: Central Park - 7:00 a.m. (All runners must be lined up in the appropriate pace corral by 6:15 a.m.)
Finish: Battery Park
Critical Race-Day Information
Heat Advice
With warm, humid weather in the forecast for race day, all runners need to be aware of the risks of heat-related problems that can arise during physical activity. Remember, your health and safety matter more than setting a personal record or beating the competition. Respect your limits, know the signs of heat-related problems, dress for the weather—including a hat and sunglasses to shield you from the sun’s rays—and follow healthy hydration guidelines. Click here for essential race-day health and safety advice from NYRR medical director Lewis Maharam, MD, FACSM. Run safe, run smart!
Seeded Start Corrals
Runners MUST be in the appropriate race corral by 6:15 a.m. No runners will be admitted to the corrals after this time.
• Runners whose race numbers correspond to corrals numbered 0-7,999 MUST enter Central Park at
Fifth Avenue and 90th Street by 6:15 a.m.
• Runners whose race numbers correspond to corrals numbered 8,000-13,999 MUST enter Central Park
at Fifth Avenue and 96th/97th Streets by 6:15 a.m.
• The Fifth Avenue and 90th Street entrance will close promptly at 6:30 a.m., so all runners arriving after 6:30 a.m.
must enter the park at 96th/97th Streets and join the back of the pack, regardless of race number.
• All corrals will contain portable toilets.
• Runners must cross the start line in front of the last runner (we have hired a person to run with a balloon at the back of the start pack). This person will run a 15 minute per mile pace. Runners must be in front of the runner with the balloon or they will not be scored.
Baggage Facilities
• You MUST use the goody bag provided at the Runner Experience as your race-day checked bag. No other bags will be accepted.
• A baggage sticker that indicates your baggage zone will be included in your race packet. Affix your sticker to the outside of your goody bag.
• Race-day baggage check, organized by zone, will be located at Fifth Avenue between 90th and 96th streets.
• You MUST drop off your bag between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Baggage check closes promptly at 6:00 a.m.
• After the race, claim your bag from the appropriate zone on State Street between Battery Place and Pearl Street.
New York Road Runners is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Number Pickup
Please note that there will be no race-day pickup. Runners must bring their race number e-mail to the Runner Experience to collect their race packet.
Entrants are required to pick up their numbers, scoring chips, and race souvenir (sizes subject to availability) in advance. Materials may be picked up at the Atrium next to Niketown (6 East 57th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues) on the following dates:
• Thursday, August 2, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
• Friday, August 3, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, August 4, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Note: Number pickup will close promptly at the indicated time.
Transportation
If you are planning to return home on the subway, please note the following NYC Transit service available in the downtown area:
Northbound and Brooklyn bound service on the “1” train will be substituted by a shuttle bus from South Ferry to Chambers Street. At Chambers Street, you can take the “2” or “3” trains up to 14th Street where you can transfer to the “1” train.
“4” and “5” service at Bowling Green is normal in both directions.
“R” passengers heading north should take the “4” or “5” at Bowling Green to 14th Street where they can transfer to the “R”.
Brooklyn bound “R” passengers will have normal service from City Hall, Rector St, and Whitehall St in Manhattan. The Brooklyn bound “R” will also make the usual stops at Court St and Lawrence St.
For further updates, please check the weekend subway service schedule.
More Race-Day Information
Course
The course will begin on Central Park's East Drive (near 85th Street) and make a complete, clockwise loop around the park. Runners will then continue to the south end of the park and exit onto Seventh Avenue, heading south to Times Square. A right turn onto 42nd Street will take runners to 12th Avenue (West Street), where, after a left turn, the race continues along the Hudson River waterfront to Lower Manhattan. The finish is on West Street near Rector Street and Battery Park.
Click here to view the course map. [PDF]
Click here to view the elevation course map. [PDF]
Click here to read the course preview.
Splits
The NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE will feature timing mats (splits) at the 5K, 10K, 15K, and 20K marks, as well as at the start and finish.
Three-Hour Time Limit
Please note that in the interest of safety, any NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE participant who is not able to maintain a 13:45-per-mile pace throughout the race (3:00 projected finishing time) will be picked up along the course starting at approximately mile 7.5 (Central Park South and Seventh Avenue) and transported to the finish. Be aware that the time it takes the last runner (who was at the start line at 7:00 a.m.) to cross the start line will be added to the overall 3:00 time limit, ensuring all participants a 13:45-per-mile pace. We thank you in advance for your cooperation with this enforcement of the 3:00 time limit for safety purposes.
Athlete Alert
Runners sign-up to have your splits e-mailed to your friends and family! [Athlete Alert]
Athlete Tracker
Come race day visitors can track splits for up to 5 of their favorite runners. [Athlete Tracker]
Entertainment
NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE is more than just a race, it's four days of fun and festivities beginning on August 2. [More Info]
Post-Race
Age group awards will be distributed at the post-race festival around 9:30 a.m. Results, however, will not be posted at the finish.
Results will be posted by 1:00 p.m. on www.nyrr.org.
[Awards Breakdown]
Family Reunion
Please note that for safety reasons, family members and friends will not be permitted in the finish area. Any visitors to this area will be turned away by the police. Runners should rejoin their friends and families in Battery Park at the post-race festivities. [Post-Race Map]
Race Coverage
Tune in or log on to WABC on race day. The NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE will have live coverage on Sunday starting at 7:00 a.m. on WABC / Channel 7 and on www.7online.com. [WABC] [Heidi Jones Blog]
Race Scoring
The NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE is scored and counts toward the nine races NYRR members, as of January 2007, need to run in order to be eligible for guaranteed entry to the ING New York City Marathon 2008. It is timed using the ChampionChip® system. You must complete the race with your chip attached to your shoe or your time will not be recorded. Please follow the instructions in your race packet on attaching the chip to your shoe and then returning the chip following the race. Note that you will be charged $35 if you do not return the chip within 20 days.
[Scoring and results procedures]
[Purchasing a ChampionChip]
Rules of Competition
All NYRR races are organized and directed under USA Track & Field rules and regulations. Entrants must also comply with City of New York, Parks & Recreation and NYRR rules. Failure to do so may result in offenders being disqualified and possibly banned from NYRR events, including the ING New York City Marathon. [Rules]
Additional Information
Application
Please note that race field for the NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE is sold out.
Entrants wishing to make corrections to their application should send edits by email to: jcupo@nyrr.org.
Pre-Race Pasta Party
The pre-race pasta party, featuring a pasta buffet and entertainment, will take place on Saturday, August 4, at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, Times Square. Tickets are $35 per person. A limited number of tickets can be purchased at the Runner Experience at Niketown. Seating times will be arranged on a first come, first served basis.
Runner Experience at Niketown
There will be more than race numbers and scoring chips at the Runner Experience at Niketown on August 2-4. Pick up course-specific pace bracelets that will help you track your progress on the course; customize your race shirt so you stand out from the crowd; have your gait analyzed by Nike Running experts; test Nike+ technology; shop for NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE gear, including t-shirts, jackets, and caps; and visit the Toyota "Engines of Change" experience for a chance to win a ride home from the race in a 2007 Toyota Prius with Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology. You’ll also have the chance to learn about upcoming NYRR races and membership; and view plaques and shadow boxes from Fond Memories, for all of your race memorabilia. Niketown is located at 6 East 57th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues. [More Info]
Rain or shine, the NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE will be a race you will not forget.
