Over the weekend, thousands of people from around the globe will lace up their running sneakers and hit the city’s streets, testing both their physical and mental strength.

Whether you’re one of those runners, an onlooker or someone looking to avoid all the commotion, take a look below for what you need to know about this year’s New York City Half Marathon.

When does the marathon take place?

The 2025 United Airlines NYC Half will officially kick off on Sunday, March 16 at 7 a.m., with the first wave of runners starting at 7:20 a.m.

Four more waves will follow, beginning with Wave 2 at 7:50 a.m.; Wave 3 at 8:20 a.m.; Wave 4 at 8:50 a.m.; and Wave 5 at 9:20 a.m.

What is the marathon route?

The 13.1-mile trek through the city begins near the Brooklyn Museum on Washington Avenue. The course takes runners through Prospect Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan and then along the FDR Drive to Midtown. Then, runners will turn onto East 42nd Street and run through Times Square before turning up Seventh Avenue and heading toward the finish line in Central Park.

For the first time in the race’s history, the approximately 27,000 runners will make their way over the Brooklyn Bridge — not the usual Manhattan Bridge, which is unavailable due to ongoing construction in Lower Manhattan.

Which streets will be closed and for how long?

The following streets will be closed, according to New York Road Runners, which organizes the race:

  • Eastern Parkway (Grand Army Plaza to Bedford Avenue) – 12 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Eastern Parkway Service Road (Grand Army Plaza to Bedford Avenue) – 12 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Washington Avenue (Eastern Parkway to Empire Boulevard) – 12 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Classon Avenue (Eastern Parkway to President Street) – 12 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Union Street (Classon Avenue to Franklin Avenue) – 12 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • President Street (Classon Avenue to Franklin Avenue) – 12 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Carroll Street (Washington Avenue to Franklin Avenue) – 12 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Empire Boulevard (Flatbush Avenue to Bedford Avenue) – 4 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Sullivan Place (Washington Avenue to Bedford Avenue) – 4 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Flatbush Avenue (Eastern Parkway to Ocean Avenue/Empire Blvd – South Side) – 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Flatbush Avenue (Grand Army Plaza to Atlantic Avenue) – 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Flatbush Avenue (Atlantic Avenue to Tillary Street) – 5:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
  • Tillary Street (Adams Street/Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard to Gold Street) – 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Tillary Street (Cadman Plaza to Adams Street – Eastbound) – 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Adams Street (Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard) (Fulton Street to Brooklyn Bridge – Northbound) – 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Jay Street (Willoughby Street to Tillary Street – Northbound) – 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Jay Street (Sands Street to Tillary Street – Southbound) – 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Sands Street and Jay Street (Jay Street and Sand Street to Brooklyn Bridge – Westbound) – 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Flatbush Avenue Extension (Flatbush Avenue to Concord Street – Southbound) – 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Pearl Street (Prospect Street to Sand Street – Southbound) – 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • FDR Drive (Brooklyn Bridge to 62nd Street – Northbound) – 5:40 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • FDR Drive (Pearl Street Entrance Ramp to Exit 9 - East 42nd Street – Manhattan Northbound) – 5:40 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • FDR Drive (Montgomery Street Entrance Ramp off Montgomery Street to Exit 9 – East 42nd Street – Manhattan bound - North) – 7:30 a.m. to 5:31 p.m.
  • FDR Drive: Exit 5 (East Houston Street/Williamsburg Bridge Entrance and Exit Ramps – Northbound traffic) – 5:40 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • 42nd Street (First Avenue to Seventh Ave) – 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Seventh Avenue (42nd Street to 56th Street) – 4:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
  • Seventh Avenue (56th Street to Central Park South) – 7 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
  • 43rd Street (Seventh Avenue to Sixth Avenue) – 3 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
  • 44th Street (Seventh Avenue to Sixth Avenue) – 3 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
  • 45th Street (Seventh Avenue to Sixth Avenue) – 3 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
  • 46th Street (Seventh Avenue to Sixth Avenue) – 3 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
  • Central Park South (Columbus Circle to Grand Army Plaza) – 7:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Central Park West (59th Street to 72nd Street) – 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • West 61st Street (Broadway to Central Park West) – 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • West 62nd Street (Broadway to Central Park West) – 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • West 63rd Street (Broadway to Central Park West) – 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • West 64th Street (Broadway to Central Park West) – 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will also be a number of No Parking Zones in effect:

  • Eastern Parkway (Washington Avenue to Franklin Avenue) – Friday 8 p.m. to Sunday 4 p.m.
  • Eastern Parkway (Grand Army Plaza/Plaza Street East to Franklin Avenue) – Friday 8 p.m. to Sunday 4 p.m.
  • Washington Avenue (Eastern Parkway to Empire Boulevard.) – Friday 8 p.m. - Sunday 4 p.m.
  • Classon Avenue (Eastern Parkway to President Street) – Friday 8 p.m. to Sunday 4 p.m.
  • Union Street (Classon Avenue to Franklin Avenue) – Friday 8 p.m. to Sunday 4 p.m.
  • President Street (Classon Avenue to Franklin Avenue) – Friday 8 p.m. to Sunday 4 p.m.
  • Carroll Street (Washington Avenue to Franklin Avenue/Dead End) – Friday 8 p.m. to Sunday 4 p.m.
  • Sullivan Place (Washington Avenue to Zenita Thompson Place) – Friday 8 p.m. to Sunday 4 p.m.
  • Empire Boulevard (Flatbush Avenue to Bedford Avenue) – Friday 8 p.m. to Sunday 4 p.m.
  • Flatbush Avenue (Grand Army Plaza to Ocean Avenue/Empire Boulevard) – Sunday 12:01 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Flatbush Avenue (Grand Army Plaza to Tillary Street) – Sun 12:01 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 42nd Street (First Avenue to Seventh Avenue) – Sunday 12:01 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Seventh Avenue (42nd Street to 59th Street) – Sunday 12:01 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • West 43rd Street, West 44th Street, West 45th Street, West 46th Street (Seventh Avenue to Sixth Avenue/Broadway) – Sunday 3 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Central Park South (Seventh Avenue to Columbus Circle/Grand Army Plaza) – Sunday 12:01 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Central Park West (59th Street to 67th Street) – Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

How can I track runners I know?

Have friends or family running in the race this year? You can track their progress along the course by downloading the TCS New York City Marathon app, which is available for free on both Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store.

Is the race televised?

Yes! There are actually two ways to watch the race on a screen if you can’t make it in person:

  • In New York, WABC-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News will have the race on from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Coverage of the race will include features, interviews, and pro race look-ins, according to New York Road Runners.
  • Starting at 7 a.m., the four professional fields will be livestreamed by ESPN+ and abc7ny.com.

Best spectator spots

The best way to take in a race is almost always in person, and the New York City Half Marathon is no different. Here’s a quick list of spots you might want to consider:

  • Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn
  • The Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge
  • The FDR Drive (along the East River Greenway in Manhattan)
  • Times Square (to take in the 11th mile)
  • Central Park South (for the final miles)
  • Central Park (the finish line is between West 67th and West 68th streets in the park, near Tavern on the Green)