Brooklyn Half Marathon 2014 Largest In US: Slideshow
The Brooklyn Half Finish (Photo: nyrr_ontherun/Instagram)
With 25,587 finishers, the NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon 2014 on Saturday, May 17 surpassed the OneAmerica 500 Festival in Indiana with its 25,521 to become the largest half-marathon in the U.S.
The Nike Women’s Half Marathon San Francisco on October 19, 2014 is likely the only half-marathon with the potential to unseat it.
In 2013, the top five largest half-marathons in the U.S., according to Running USA, were:
1) OneAmerica 500 Festival, Indiana: 30,059 finishers
2) Nike Women’s Half Marathon San Francisco, California: 26,406 finishers
3) Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Florida: 23,148 finishers
4) Disney Princess Half Marathon, Florida: 22,739 finishers
5) NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon, New York: 21,427 finishers
Rounding out the top 10 in 2013 were five Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series races with 18,000-21,000 finishers: Las Vegas, USA (Washington, D.C.), Philadelphia, San Diego and Nashville.
For 2014, here are the standings. Of the previous top five, only the Nike Women’s Half Marathon San Francisco has yet to be run:
1) NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon, New York: 25,587 finishers
2) OneAmerica 500 Festival, Indiana: 25,521 finishers
3) Disney Princess Half Marathon, Florida: 20,777 finishers
4) Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Florida: 20,284 finishers
5) St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon, Tennessee: 19,149 finishers
Goofin’ at the start. (Photo: nyrr_ontherun/Instagram)
Brooklyn Half On TV
Befitting such a big race, I spent Brooklyn Half race day at the start outside the Brooklyn Museum and the finish on the Coney Island Boardwalk with “NYRR On the Run” filming a TV episode for ABC in New York. All week long, we ran around Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Half Pre-Party presented by New Balance catching all the action from race week.
If you’re in New York, be sure to tune in to ABC on May 31 at 1:30 pm to see if you made our coverage! After that, the episode will be online at ontherun.nyrr.org.
Until then, here are some photos from my week. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Brooklyn Half is one of my absolute favorite races of the year. I love the pre-party, the course and the vibe. The race was my first half-marathon back in 2010, and I cheered on friends in 2011 and 2012. Now I’ve reported from the Brooklyn Half two years running with “NYRR On The Run” and it’s always a highlight of my year.
Brooklyn Half Marathon 2014 Slideshow
About Karla Bruning
Karla Bruning is a regular contributor to SHAPE.com, the host of NYRR's On The Run web + TV show, and a race announcer at events like the TCS New York City Marathon. She used to report for Newsweek but spent her free time squeezing in workouts. Now she freelances as a running reporter. She's run 7 marathons, 20 halves, 6 triathlons, sings in an '80s cover band, spoils her dog + travels compulsively.
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Of course now that I live in the south, northeast halfs have my attention. How’s the course?
Lesley recently posted..Random Sunday Musings 5/18
The course is interesting. The first half is very scenic but hilly, the second half is not so scenic but pancake flat. I know lots of people who PR there, making up time in the second half. Fantastic finish on the Coney Island boardwalk.
Karla Bruning recently posted..60 Destination Races For Your Next Runcation
Whoa! I wonder what it’s like to run a race like this! I live in NC, and the closest we came was a race where about 12.5 thousand people ran. Incredible feeling, I’m sure to run with that many folks.
Cheri @ Overactive Blogger recently posted..Sunday Coffee Date
12,500 is still a lot of runners! I love doing the really big races and super small 100-person runs too.
Karla Bruning recently posted..60 Destination Races For Your Next Runcation
Large races are really exciting and it’s amazing to see SO MANY PEOPLE!
Jojo @ RunFastEatLots recently posted..Training Log 5/18 and Miscellaneous Adventures
It is! It reminds me how many of us runners there are out there!
Karla Bruning recently posted..60 Destination Races For Your Next Runcation
Great meeting you finally. Hope to see you again at a race.
Elle recently posted..PRO Compression Socks Winner and Korean 1st Birthday Celebration
Yes! It was awesome to meet you too! I’m sure our paths will cross again
Karla Bruning recently posted..60 Destination Races For Your Next Runcation
It’s so odd to see you on a race day without a costume on
You look gorgeous – purple is definitely one of your colors!
Kristina recently posted..I Escaped for a Quick Weekend Away
Haha, thanks! Purple is my favorite color. I was very happy to see a few purple options and sneakers in my NB wardrobe.
Karla Bruning recently posted..60 Destination Races For Your Next Runcation
Great pics. Looks like you had a blast!
Thanks, I did!
This looks like a BLAST. You’ve totally sold me on this race — adding it to my list!
Jennifer @ The Final Forty recently posted..Where I’ve Been…and GOOD NEWS!
I love this one. Some folks don’t as much. But it’s my husband’s absolute favorite race and one of my top picks among urban races.
Karla Bruning recently posted..60 Destination Races For Your Next Runcation
That looks amazing! I love NYC so much. I’ve walked across Brooklyn Bridge, but would love to run a race across it! Very cool medals too! And if I do run it and you interview me, I’ll try to give a good soundbite!
Scott Evans recently posted..Will Run 4 Tacos
Haha, I know I can count on you for a good soundbite! The race doesn’t go across the Brooklyn Bridge. That was a fun run to the Pre-Party that takes place in Brooklyn Bridge Park. But I love running across all the NYC bridges. Such great views from them!
Karla Bruning recently posted..60 Destination Races For Your Next Runcation