New York, May 14, 2018—More than 27,500 runners are expected to race through the streets of Brooklyn at the 2018 Popular Brooklyn Half, the largest half-marathon in the United States, on Saturday, May 19. Runners of all ages and abilities, including Olympic medalist and American record-holder Deena Kastor, will take a 13.1-mile journey through the unique and diverse neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Kastor is a three-time Olympian who has held 10 American records and represented the U.S. on 16 world championship teams, and she was the top American woman in her marathon debut at the 2001 New York City Marathon.

Popular® is the title sponsor of the Brooklyn Half for the first year, serving as the exclusive official bank of the 2018 Popular® Brooklyn Half and strategic partner of the NYRR Five-Borough Series. Popular® will have designated water and cheer stations along the course, a branded 3,100+ square-foot Popular® Lounge at the race’s Pre-Party, and a selfie-station and lounge post-race at MCU Park. For over 50 years, Popular® has been deeply connected to the communities it serves through fundraising, employee volunteerism, and collaboration. Popular® leverages its financial expertise to enable customers to focus on what matters most.

Race day will also see an expected 1,000 youth participants in the fourth annual free Rising New York Road Runners at the Popular® Brooklyn Half, which will feature kids ages 8-18—700 of whom are from NYRR’s youth programs. The young runners will take on a one-mile out-and-back course along the celebrated Coney Island boardwalk and cross the Popular® Brooklyn Half finish line.

“We are excited to partner with Popular for this 13.1-mile celebration and to showcase our commitment to community together,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. “Together, we are able to embrace the unique spirit of Brooklyn—from Prospect Park to Coney Island—to make it a day to remember for all the 27,500 adult runners and 1,000 Rising New York Road Runners crossing the finish line. It will be an inspirational day for all generations throughout the Brooklyn community.”  

The 2018 Popular® Brooklyn Half will also feature a men’s and women’s seeded athlete program comprised of talented elite runners and NYRR members. Runners will vie for a $5,000 prize purse, including a $1,000 first-place prize to the top male and female finishers. The three men’s podium finishers from last year’s race will be back in Girma Bekele Gebre, Mengistu Tabor Nebsi, and Harbert Okuti. Additionally, two athletes with local ties, Columbia University products Brendan Martin—who was the top American at last month’s UAE Healthy Kidney 10K—and Caroline Williams will be racing in the seeded athlete field.

Additionally, a handful of notable runners will race the 13.1 miles to the Coney Island Boardwalk, including Good Morning America anchor Amy Robach, former NFL player Tiki Barber, and competitive eater Yasir Salem.

The race will begin at the Brooklyn Museum, pass the scenic Grand Army Plaza, and run through Prospect Park and along Ocean Parkway to the finish line on the famous Coney Island boardwalk.

“Brooklyn’s popularity has grown tremendously over the last few decades, and with that so has the Brooklyn Half, which is now the largest half marathon the country and a great kickoff to summer in such an iconic location in the borough,” said Peter Ciaccia, president of events at New York Road Runners and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon. “Over the years, we created the Brooklyn Half Pre-Party, a collective of borough-centric artists, musicians, DJs and food vendors in a multi-day happening held on Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. We have continued to enhance the race-day experience by adding more entertainment along the course and finish line and a fun post-race festival in MCU Park, all of which has resulted in such a positive impact for the community and our runners.”

The 2018 Popular® Brooklyn Half festivities will kick off on Wednesday, May 16 at the Popular Brooklyn Half Pre-Party Presented by New Balance, a free three-day race celebration with music, food, and programming at Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

New Balance returns for the fifth year as the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the Popular® Brooklyn Half. New Balance is an NYRR Foundation Partner, and the brand remains the presenting sponsor of the Pre-Party, which has become an annual kickoff to summer in the borough. This celebratory, free, three-day event will take place at Pier 2, Brooklyn Bridge Park, on May 16-19, inviting runners, family, friends, and the public to experience the energy and diversity of Brooklyn. The Pre-Party will serve as much more than the main hub for race material pickup, and will be filled with celebrations of hospitality, local food, and live musical performances. Various local food vendors and trucks will be on site, including Red Hook Lobster, Toum, Sixpoint Brewery Beer, Red Hook Winery Wine, and Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee. Live musical performances will take place each evening.

After the race, runners can celebrate their finish at the Popular Brooklyn Half After-Party with classic Coney Island fare, including hot dogs, beer, and entertainment at MCU Park, the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Media interested in applying for credentials to cover the 2018 Popular Brooklyn Half can email Stuart Lieberman at slieberman@nyrr.org with their coverage plans.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

In 2018, NYRR is celebrating 60 years of helping and inspiring people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, free youth running initiatives, school programs, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.