There were smiling faces, and even a happy dance, as runners crossed the New York City Half Marathon finish line.

“I was born and raised in New York, so it’s great to be able to run through the city and give it some love,” Amanda Katz, a NYC Half Marathon participant and professional run coach, said.

Katz said this was her first time doing this race and called it a “fantastic experience.”

The race is hosted by the New York Road Runners, and organizers said it’s one of their most popular events, with around 25,000 runners hitting the pavement.

“It’s great seeing all the New Yorkers out here, all the people that came in from out of town, all over the world, it’s really exciting and inspiring to see,” Harrison Steg, another half marathon participant, said.

The 13.1 mile journey began near Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Runners made their way along Flatbush Avenue, over the Manhattan Bridge, up FDR Drive, through Times Square and finally finished in Central Park.

“They closed down Times Square,” Katz said. “And the only other time, I think, they do that is New Year’s Eve. So what an incredible experience to run through the streets of the heart of New York City.”

The top woman — Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal from Norway — reached the finish line with a time of one hour and nine minutes. The top male — Abel Kipchumba from Kenya — clocked in at one hour and 29 seconds.

For some runners, racing on St. Patrick’s Day inspired them to show out in green and Irish flag colors. Some runners said the racing community is very supportive.

“Here we are, no one knows us, we’re complete strangers, and they’re patting us on the back and showing us so much love,” Yannick Benjamin, a para athlete who uses a wheelchair to race, said. “It’s a beautiful thing. I wish life was a marathon.”

Runners enjoyed the spring-like day, with grit and determination to get to the end.

Steg laughed and said, “finishing,” when asked what was the best part of the race. “I’ll eat a banana, and drink a few ice-cold green beers,” Steg said.

Many runners said they put a lot of preparation and hard work in leading up to the half marathon, and there’s a sense of community united around the love of running.

Organizers said it’s an event for everyone, from those who are more professional runners to those running to prepare for the New York City Marathon in November to New Yorkers who believe this is a once in a lifetime event for them.