Pre-Race Activities, Course Attractions, and Entertainment
The NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE is a four-day festival of fun and fitness beginning on the opening day of the Runner Experience at Niketown on July 24. With a course like no other—as diverse and motivating as NYC itself—this year’s race features excitement and motivation for runners and their fans all along the 13.1-mile route.
Before the Race
Runner Experience at Niketown
There will be more than race numbers and scoring chips at the Runner Experience at the Atrium, next to Niketown, on July 24-26. You can:
• Have your gait analyzed by NIKE running experts
• Test NIKE+ technology
• Shop for NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE gear
• Customize your race shirt
• Pick up pace bracelets
• View plaques and shadow boxes from Fond Memories
• Learn about upcoming NYRR races and membership
• Learn about Toyota's Engines of Change
Meet the Athletes
Stop by the NYRR booth at the Runner Experience on:
• Friday, July 25, at 5:00 p.m. to meet Dathan Ritzenhein (USA) and Catherine Ndereba (KEN)
• Saturday, July 26, at noon. to meet Colleen DeReuck (USA) and Felix Limo (KEN)
The athletes will sign autographs and answer questions as time permits; each session will last approximately one hour.
Athlete Alert
Runners sign-up to have your splits e-mailed to your friends and family. [Sign Up Now]
Fan Alert
This year, fans wishing to track their favorite runners by e-mail can do so. [Sign Up Now]
Race Day
Athlete Tracker
Track splits for up to 5 of your favorite runners on your browser. [Athlete Tracker]
Central Park
At the Start, runners and spectators will hear the singing of the national anthem.
NIKE Sponge Station - (Seventh Avenue btw 54th-55th Streets)
Stay cool at the Nike sponge station.
Times Square Sing-A-Long - (Eastside of Broadway and 44th Street)
At 44th street and Broadway, spectators and runners alike will have the opportunity to sing along with Broadway performers as they belt out favorite classic songs. Don’t worry about forgetting the lyrics; they’ll be displayed on a giant video screen that will also feature a live runner cam.
Who: Broadway performers Catherine Porter, Ben Roseberry, Susan Spencer and Matthew Stocke along with over 10,000 runners running through Times Square
What: Sing-a-long to all-time favorite songs. The playlist includes classics like “Uptown Girl,” “I Will Survive,” “Born To Run,” and “Dancing in The Streets.” Plus 40 other songs!
Where: On the eastern sidewalk of Broadway at 44th Street (near Toys R Us)
Date: Sunday, July 27th,
7:30 a.m.: Arrive on location to get a spot to watch the video screen;
7:35 a.m.: (Approximate) Elite Runners race through Times Square; watch it on the big screen!
7:45 a.m.: Sing-a-along begins as the packs of runners begin to stream through Times Square!
Toyota Hybrid Turn to the Finish (42nd Street and the West Side Highway)
Samba New York!
This visual and musical attraction zone, set on a stage parallel to the West Side Highway, will dazzle runners and spectators with a colorful display of traditional Brazilian costumes, dancing, and capoeira. Inspired by the samba schools of Rio de Janeiro and adapted to the setting of New York City, this performance company puts on shows that offer the exhilaration of Rio Carnival. Race marshals will be distributing Toyota cheersticks all along the course to help you cheer the runners on!
NIKE Downtown Cheering Zone — (West Side Highway and Harrison Street)
This zone will feature DJ entertainment, fresh waffles, spectator kits, and more!
Battery Park
Post-Race Festival
(8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Enjoy post-race amenities including free Jamba Juice product samples, Nike+ shoe trials, and the Toyota Engines of Change experience. At 9:45 a.m., catch the awards ceremony and raffle prize announcements on the main stage celebrating the top 10 male and female finishers!
